Reactivation of herpes simplex virus infection by ultraviolet light and possible involvement of prostaglandins.

Herpes simplex infection in the mouse ear was used to investigate whether various treatments would reactivate the disease. Immunosuppressive drugs failed to induce clinical signs of reactivation but irradiation of the skin of the originally infected ear with ultraviolet light or injection of prostaglandin E2 or PBSA into this site, caused reactivation of infection. This was detected by the appearance of infectious virus in the skin 2 to 3 days after these treatments. The results are discussed in relation to the mechanism of herpes reactivation in man.