Herpes simplex keratitis models were created with healthy New Zealand rabbits. During the quiescent period, one group of the rabbits were performed autograft penetrating keratoplasty and another group cross penetrating keratoplasty with noninfeeted rabbits. After removal of the sutures, epinephrine iontophoresis was done for reactivation of the virus, and all the corneal buttons were stained positive of HSV-1 antigens. Transmission electron microscopy revealed signs of viral infection and culture of corneal graft keratoeytes also demonstrated HSV-1 infection, suggesting that the cornea was a site of HSV-1 latency and source of recurrence.