Ontogeny of murine cellular cytotoxicity to herpes simplex virus-infected cells.

Mice infected with herpes simplex virus either orally or intraperitoneally had a markedly age-related mortality. All animals under 3 weeks of age died, whereas all those over 3 weeks of age survived. The ability of murine peritoneal cells to kill herpes simplex virus-infected target cells in the absence (natural killer cytotoxicity) or presence (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity) of antiviral antibody was similarly correlated with age and survival. This correlation is further support for the relevance of these antiviral defense mechanisms, and it may help explain the profound susceptibility of neonatal mice to herpes simplex virus infection.