Influence of experimental influenza infection of the eye on the course of herpetic keratitis in rabbits.

Influenza virus monoinfection and combined influenza and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of the eye was studied in rabbits. Influenza A/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2) virus caused a clinically overt disease of the eye only after inoculation into the eye chamber. The combined influenza and HSV infection of the eye induced severe iridocyclitis. The combined infection of the eye with influenza virus and HSV had a more severe course than HSV monoinfection. The occurence of influenza antibody in the lacrimal fluid in the presence of the antigen in eye tissues is of diagnostic importance in determining the aetiology of the disease.