Protein-specific cervical antibody responses to primary genital herpes simplex virus type 2 infections.
Antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV) have been demonstrated in cervicovaginal secretions but have not been analyzed for their viral protein targets, prevalence, isotype, or kinetics of development. A method was devised to collect cervical secretions from women with primary genital HSV-2. By Western blot, cervical IgG and IgA responses to HSV-2 proteins VP5, gB, and gD were detected in most patients within 2 weeks of onset and to gC/gE within 3 weeks. Cervical IgM and IgG responses to gG, VP16, and ICP35 developed later and were more variable. Cervical IgM to most proteins appeared within 6-10 days. Cervical IgA and IgG persisted for weeks, but cervical IgM waned. Western blot profiles of serum IgG and cervical IgG to individual HSV-2 proteins were similar; those of serum IgA and cervical IgA differed. These findings suggest a universal, complex immune response to HSV-2 infection in the female genital tract.
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
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RL
Ashley
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Corey
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J
Dalessio
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Wilson
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M
Remington
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G
Barnum
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P
Trethewey
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M