Protection and serum antibody responses in guinea-pigs and mice immunized with HSV-1 antigen preparations obtained using different detergents.

Guinea-pigs immunized with a zwitterionic detergent-extracted HSV-1 antigen preparation responded with EIA and NT serum antibody titres that were significantly greater than those elicited by a non-ionic detergent-extracted antigen preparation inoculated using a similar dosage schedule. Following intravaginal challenge of the guinea-pigs with HSV-2 (strain SH/B), there was no statistically significant difference in the protection afforded to these animals by the two antigen preparations, although the results indicated the zwitterionic detergent-extracted HSV-1 antigen preparation to be slightly superior in this respect. In mice, the zwitterionic detergent-extracted HSV-1 antigen preparation elicited an EIA antibody response and partial protection against homologous virus challenge. The relevance of these animal models to determination of immunogenicity and efficacy of HSV vaccines prepared for use in man, and the reasons for the differences in immunogenicity of these HSV-1 antigen preparations in guinea-pigs, are discussed.