Lymphoproliferative and serological responses to herpes simplex virus during primary infection, recrudescence, and re-infection in a murine model

ABSTRACT Mice were infected epidermally with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) after mild tape stripping. Some were re-infected by the same route several weeks later; recrudescences were induced in others by UV-irradiation before the primary infection followed by re-irradiation and tape stripping at a later date. Clinical symptoms were noted; serological responses to HSV and lymphoproliferative and phenotypic analysis of local lymph node cells were measured throughout. Experience of a primary lesion did not prevent lesions developing again on re-infection although morbidity and mortality were decreased. Recrudescent lesions were less severe than primary or secondary lesions, never zosteriform and healed rapidly. Antibodies to HSV were not found to play a major role in preventing development of lesions. The lymphoproliferative response on primary infection was maximal just after the lesions were most severe and then waned. There was a second, although not accelerated, lymphoproliferative response on re-i...