Primary herpes simplex virus (type 1) infection delays healing of oral excisional and extraction wounds in the rat

• The effect of acute herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection on the healing process of intraoral wounds and tooth extraction sockets in the rat was studied. A standardized size of the buccal mucosa was excised and molars were extracted and a HSV-1 suspension was topically applied. The virus infected wounds were clinically characterized by erythema and swelling and histologically by heavy inflammation cell infiltrate and abscesses during the first week. The acute HSV-1 infection was found to significantly delay healing of both types of wounds by 3 days. Antiviral treatment with acyclovir (ACV) decreased the degree of inflammation and improved healing of the infected wounds. The present results indicate a delayed and disturbed healing of wounds in the oral cavity in the presence of HSV-1. The findings may have a clinical significance for primary or latent HSV-1 infections in conjunction with surgical intervention in the oral cavity.

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