Cellular immunity and circulating antibody to herpes simplex virus in subjects with recurrent herpex simplex lesions and controls as measured by the mixed leukocyte migration inhibition test and complement fixation.

Cellular immune responses and circulating antibody levels to herpes simplex virus were examined in patients with recurrent herpes simplex (HSV) infections and controls. Mixed leukocyte migration inhibition by herpes simplex antigen was less in affected patients than in controls but serum antibody levels were higher. There was no significant difference in leukocyte migration between patients with active or recent lesions and other herpes subjects, and the response in the mixed leukocyte migration test to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was similar in patients and controls. The data presented suggest that a localized defect in cell mediated immunity to herpes simplex virus may exist and be responsible for recurrent herpes simplex infections.