Changes in the vaginal cytology of the guinea pig induced by herpes simplex virus.

The vaginal cytology of guinea pigs with genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection was examined during acute and latent infection. Cytologic changes similar to those observed in humans with HSV-2 genital infections were observed in the guinea pigs during acute infection. During latent infection, some animals continued to have abnormal cytology. The severity of the changes was reduced after treatment with phosphonoformic acid during acute infection.