Herpes simplex virus latency in immunosuppressed mice

To determine the role of antibodies in establishing Herpes simplex virus (HSV) latency, immunosuppressed Swiss mice were experimentally infected in the right hind footpad with a HSV-1 x HSV-2 recombinant (C6D) with low virulence. Immunosuppression was induced by repeated intraperitoneal inoculations of Cyclophosphamide (CY) and the production of antibodies to C6D in immunosuppressed animals was monitored by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Within 21 days after inoculation, C6D was able to establish a latent infection of lumbosacral spinal ganglia in both normal and CY-treated immunosuppressed animals. The data presented indicate that detectable production of antibodies is not necessary to induce HSV latency in spinal ganglia.