HLA antigens in patients with recrudescent herpes simplex infections

We have assessed the humoral and cellular immune responses to HSV-1 antigen in normal controls, and in 47 subjects with recurrent cold sores. THe antigens at the HLA-ABC and DR loci were examined in the first group of 21 susceptible subjects. An apparent increase in prevalence of A9 seen in this group was confirmed in a prospective study of a further 26 subjects (P less than 0.0005). In contrast to previous studies, no relationship was noted between the immune responses and HLA antigens.