Activation of guinea pig herpesvirus antigen in leukemic lymphoblasts of guinea pig.

Herpesvirus (GPHV) antigen is either present in very small amounts, or absent in leukemic lymphoblasts taken directly from strain 2 guinea pigs. However, after maintenance in tissue culture for 72 hr, almost 100% of these lymphoblasts contained GPHV antigen. The expression of GPHV antigen could be demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescent technique as well as by the direct (125)I labeled antibody technique. However, infectious virus or virus capsids could not be detected in these cells either by infectivity tests or electron microscopy.