Persistent cyclic herpes simplex virus infection in vitro. IV. Changes in the severity of the infections in the presence of antibody.

Hampar, Berge (National Institute of Dental Research, Bethesda, Md.). Persistent cyclic herpes simplex virus infection in vitro. IV. Changes in the severity of the infections in the presence of antibody. J. Bacteriol. 92:1741-1747. 1966.-The severity of persistent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections maintained in the presence of viral antibody (AB) changed with time. These changes could be divided into three distinct phases during which the severity of the infections were maintained at low (phase 1), high (phase 2), and intermediate (phase 3) levels. Paralleling these changes was the appearance in the cultures of a new HSV variant which induced the formation of giant cells. The changes in the severity of the infections were attributable to three factors. The first was the presence in the cultures of virus-resistant cells. The second was the suppressive effects due to virus neutralization by the AB. The third was the inherent properties of each HSV variant which determined the amount of virus remaining in an infectious form in the presence of AB. Finally, the period of "exacerbation" in vitro (phase 2) was compared with recurrent episodes in human herpes infection.