Relation of herpesvirus hominis type II to carcinoma of the cervix. An animal model for the induction of long-term latency of herpesvirus hominis type II.

Proof of latency of herpesvirus hominis type II (HVH-II) following acute vaginocervical infection must be validated if it is to be considered an etiologic factor in carcinoma of the cervix. An animal model is presented which demonstrates acute HVH-II vaginocervical infection. Following the primary acute infection, animals maintained for an equivalent of 60 human years display persistance of the herpesvirus in the pelvic sensory ganglia. Evidence of the specificity of HVH-II as the infectious agent is presented.