Type-specific herpes-simplex-virus antibodies in patients with recurrent duodenal ulcer.

The prevalences of herpes-simplex-virus (HSV) type-1-specific antibodies in 52 patients with recurrent duodenal ulcer, 60 controls, and 32 patients with recurrent cold sores were 94%, 80%, and 100% respectively. Seropositive ulcer patients had significantly higher antibody levels than seropositive controls. The cold-sore group had higher antibody levels than the controls, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Since all three groups had similar HSV type-2-specific antibody levels, the results demonstrate an unusual activity of HSV type 1 in duodenal-ulcer patients, compatible with the hypothesis that herpesvirus is an aetiological agent in some cases of this disorder.