Effect of immunization on the development of latent ganglionic infection in mice challenged intravaginally with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.

Immunization of BALB/c mice with virulent and avirulent strains of HSV-1 resulted in high levels of neutralizing antibody and protected against both the lethal effect of the virus and the development of a latent ganglionic infection when animals were challenged by the intravaginal route. In animals immunized with avirulent strain of HSV-2 and challenged with a high virulent strain of HSV-2, substantial protection against death was observed despite low levels of neutralizing antibody. Nineteen per cent of the survivors, however, developed a latent ganglionic infection. Relatively little protection was observed in mice immunized with HSV-1 and challenged with HSV-2.