Mucosal antibody response to vaginal infection with herpes simplex virus in pre-vaccinated guinea-pigs.

The mucosal antibody response, in female guinea-pigs vaccinated with the Skinner herpes simplex virus vaccine, has been investigated. The HSV-specific secretory IgA response was assessed using the cross-reactivity of an antiserum raised against human secretory component. Animals vaccinated subcutaneously at a distant site were shown to respond to subsequent infection with HSV by the production of HSV-specific vaginal IgG and secretory IgA. No vaginal HSV-specific antibodies were found in infected, non-vaccinated animals.