Antibody responses and protection in mice immunized with herpes simplex virus type 1 antigen immune-stimulating complex preparations.

The formation of immune-stimulating complexes (iscoms) obtained by mixing the glycoside Quil A with an antigen preparation derived from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-infected cell cultures using a zwitterionic detergent is described. The HSV-1 antigen preparation incorporated into iscoms elicited significantly greater antibody responses in mice than the same preparation administered together with aluminium hydroxide gel, and provided complete protection against HSV-1 or HSV-2 lethal, systemic challenge infection in animals given a single dose containing 5 micrograms of protein. The HSV-1 iscom preparation also provided significant protection in mice against local reactions following challenge with HSV-1 by skin scarification.