Antibodies to herpes simplex virus in human gingival fluid

Antibodies to herpes simplex virus were found by immunofluorescent techniques in the gingival fluid of 84.0% of the persons tested. A mixture of IgG and IgA antibodies was demonstrated in 52.3% of the specimens while in 47.7% only IgG antibodies were found. Neutralization of herpes simplex virus infection in Vero cells by the gingival fluid was also demonstrated. No correlation between recurrences of herpes infection and the type of antibodies produced could be established.