Replication of herpes simplex virus in T lymphocytes.

HSV is known to cause infection at various parts in the human body such as skin, mouth, eyes, genital area, and brain. In this study, the authors showed the possibility of HSV replication in Jurkat, a human leukemic T lymphocytes. Although the yield production was very low when compared to the other 2 epithelial cells, Vero and HEp-2 cells, the yield production could enhance after PHA activation. Delayed viral protein expression was observed in Jurkat cells. This might be the reason for low production. However, the exactly mechanism is unknown. Replication of viruses have been examined in a number of cell systems and the duration of successive steps in the replication cycle depends upon the types of cells, the virus strain, and the multiplicity of infection.