Native HSV Type 2 (G Strain) Antigen

The objective of our study was to examine the humoral and cellular immune response in mice after immunization with bivalent subunit vaccine against Herpes simplex viruses (HSV 1 and HSV2). These examinations were carried out in biological assay on 27 female Swiss albino mice (20 g bm). The subunit vaccine was prepared from purified glycoprotein antigens (subunits) isolated from the external envelopes of HSV 1 and HSV 2 and adsorbed on the adjuvant AI(OH)(3) at a final concentration of 5 mg/ml. This vaccine contained 0.14 mg/ml total protein for the HSV I subunits and 0.16 mg/ml for HSV2 subunits. Two groups of 9 and 7 experimental mice were immunized with the HSV1/HSV2 subunit vaccine (0.5 mi sie). A group of II healthy non-immunized mice served as the control. The specific humoral immune response of the vaccinated mice was examined by a standard method of indirect immunofluorescence. The specific cellular immune response of the vaccinated animals was tested by measuring the lymphocyte proliferation response to HSV1 and HSV2 antigens with tritiated methyl thymidine (*128.5 Bq/mmol), in vitro. The titers of the specific IgG and IgM Glass antibodies, in the blood sera of the first group of 9 immunized mice, on day 10 after vaccination were: from 1:8 to 1:64 IgG and 1:32 to 1:128 IgM for HSV1 and 1:32 to 1:128 IgG and IgM antibodies for HSV2. The equivalent titers for the second group of 7 immunized mice, on day 24 after vaccination were: from 1:64 to 1:128 IgG and 1:16 to 1:64 IgM for HSV1; from 1:32 to 1:128 IgG and IgM for HSV2. The mean values for radioactivity in the proliferation test of lymphocytes for HSV1 and HSV2 antigens were 1471 cpm and 1839 cpm respectively on day 10 after vaccination, The mean value for radioactivity in the medium after spontaneous proliferation of lymphocytes for this group of mice was 893 cpm. The mean radioactivity of lymphocytes from the second group of mice, stimulated with HSV1 antigens was 4158 cpm on day 24 after vaccination, with a spontaneous proliferation value of 364 cpm. Thus, the low subunit antigen concentrations in the bivalent subunit vaccine, induced satisfactory humoral and cellular immune responses to HSV1 and HSV2 in the vaccinated mice.

BackgroundHerpes simplex virus (HSV) typically infects oral or anogenital squamous epithelium and causes blisters and ulcerations. Here we reported an unusual case of HSV induced exuberant rectal inflammatory pseudotumor with vascular endothelial involvement.Case presentationsA 52-year old man with HIV presented with abdominal pain, rectal drainage and constipation. Proctoscopy and CT scans revealed an 8x5x4cm circumferential, mid-lower rectal mass that was concerning for malignancy. PET-CT showed mild to moderate FDG uptake of the rectal mass. Repeated biopsies showed exuberant lymphoplasmacytic inflammation with rich eosinophils and necrosis in the submucosa and scattered single or multi-nucleated viral inclusions in vascular endothelial cells that were positive for HSV by immunostains. There was no evidence of malignancy on histology or by immunostains. The patient started valacyclovir for three weeks and symptoms resolved after the antiviral therapy. Follow-up CT and sigmoidoscopy with biopsy revealed no rectal mass or drainable collection.ConclusionsHSV may present as proctitis with exuberant inflammatory response and mass-like lesion, and damages vascular endothelial cells in patients with HIV. The HSV-associated mass-like lesion can be effectively treated by 3-week valacyclovir.