Protective Vaccination Against Primary And Recurrent Disease Caused By Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type 2 Using A Genetically Disabled HSV-1

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 170; no. 5; pp. 1100 - 1109
• Main Authors: Mclean, C. S., Erturk, M., Jennings, R., Ni Challanain, D., Minson, A. C., Duncan, I., Boursnell, M. E. G., Inglis, S. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The University of Chicago Press 01.11.1994; University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Female; Guinea Pigs; Herpes Genitalis - prevention & control; Herpesvirus 1, Human - genetics; Herpesvirus 1, Human - immunology; Human herpesvirus 1; Human herpesvirus 2; Infections; Lesions; Major Articles; Mutation; Preventive medicine; Recurrence; Relapse; Simplexvirus; Vaccination; Viral diseases; Viral Vaccines - immunology; Virus Replication; Viruses
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/170.5.1100
• ISSN: 0022-1899

The vaccine potential of a mutant herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1, with a deletion in the glycoprotein H (gH) gene, was evaluated. The virus requires a gH-expressing cell line for multi-cycle growth but can complete a single cycle of infection in noncomplementing cells. Such viruses, termed DISC (disabled infectious single cycle) viruses, should be safe, yet still able to stimulate humoral and cell-mediated responses against a broad range of virus antigens in vaccinated hosts. Prophylactic vaccination of guinea pigs with DISC HSV-1, by ear scarification or direct infection of the vaginal mucosa, afforded a high degree of protection against HSV-2-induced primary genital disease and reduced significantly the frequency of subsequent disease recurrence. There was also a trend toward reduced recurrence following therapeutic vaccination of animals already infected with HSV-2. DISC HSV vaccination, therefore, offers an effective route for control of HSV disease.