Neutralizing antibodies against herpes simplex virus in maternal and umbilical cord serum.

Thirteen Japanese with a full term pregnancy were studied to determine maternal and neonatal serum neutralizing antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV). The study included 10 healthy persons, 2 with herpes genitalis and one with herpes oralis. We found that the serum neutralizing antibody titers in neonates were almost identical or slightly higher as compared to those in the mother and such findings suggest, that in the neonate, the lack of certain immunological responses may be responsible for generalized herpes simplex virus infection.