title: Effect of antibody to interferon on genital herpesvirus infection in mice.
abstract: The effect of anti-mouse interferon (IFN) antibody on the course of genital herpes infection was studied in C57B1/6J mice. As we have previously described, intravaginal inoculation of C57 mice with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) results in the development of genital lesions, subsequent encephalitis and death, with the mortality rate dependent on virus dose. In the present study, we found that intravaginal application of 1 x 10(5) units of anti-mouse (alpha/beta) IFN antibody did not significantly affect the course of infection. However, intraperitoneal or intravenous injection (the latter to a lesser extent) of anti-IFN antibody resulted in increased morbidity and mortality. In addition, intraperitoneal injection of anti-IFN antibody decreased the level of detectable endogenous IFN in peripheral blood and at the site of infection. The clear effect of anti-IFN antibody during early stages of infection points to the possible significance of early endogenous IFN production in ameliorating HSV-2 genital infection.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D007370:Interferon Type I