Immunomodulator-lnduced Resistance Against Herpes Simplex Virus

Abstract

SummaryAdult mice were protected from mortality after intraperitoneal infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 by prophylactic treatment with the immunomo-dulators, Corynebacterium parvum, Coryne-bacterium acnes, or pyran. Treatment with pyran, but not with the corynebacteria, also increased the survival time of mice after local genital (intravaginal) infection with the virus. Treatment with levamisole or glyco-gen was ineffective against either virus infection. Levamisole and C. acnes were also ineffective against herpes simplex virus infection in suckling and weanling mice, while pyran was slightly effective. Silica treatment, to suppress macrophage function in vivo, increased the susceptibility of mice to herpes simplex infection by 10- to 100-fold. The increased susceptibility induced by silica was associated with early, sustained viral replication in the visceral organs. Although silica treatment markedly suppressed host resistance to herpes virus, this treatment did not inhibit the antiviral activity of pyran or C. acnes.The authors appreciate the excellent technical assistance of James T. Richards.