Cell-mediated immunity to varicella-zoster virus infection in strain 2 guinea pigs.

Young adult male strain 2 guinea pigs were inoculated intramuscularly with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) cultured in fetal guinea pig tissue cultures. Lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin 2 secretion in response to viral antigen challenge in vitro were measured at weekly intervals for 2 months and periodically thereafter. VZV-specific immunity was apparent 2 weeks after infection, peaking after 2 weeks (lymphoproliferation) or 1-2 months (interleukin 2 secretion). Diminished but significant anamnestic responses were detected as late as 30 months after infection.