Detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 in human cadaver trigeminal ganglia

Our previous study suggested that the genotyping of latent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in trigeminal ganglion in forensic autopsies were useful for tracing the origins of unidentified cadavers. Here, we tried to isolate HSV-1 from cadaver trigeminal ganglia. Trigeminal ganglia were cultured with Vero cells. DNA was extracted from the culture medium and from the remaining half of each ganglion samples. HSV-1 DNA detection rate of the culture medium was higher than those of the extract taken directly from trigeminal ganglia. These results suggest that latent HSV-1 in trigeminal ganglia may be reactivated.