Protection of guinea pigs against primary and recurrent genital herpes infections by immunization with live heterologous or homologous Herpes simplex virus: implications for a herpes virus vaccine.

Guinea pigs, inoculated intravaginally with HSV type 2 develop a primary and spontaneously recurring genital herpes with clinical symptoms resembling genital herpes in humans. The effect of a previous infection with either HSV type 1 or HSV type 2 on the clinical course of the intravaginal challenge infection was studied. Prior infection with either subtype of HSV moderated considerably the acute disease induced by intravaginal HSV type 2 challenge. No effect was, however, observed on the development of the chronic phase of the challenge infection. The significance of these studies for the possibility of vaccination against recurrent herpes infections is discussed.