Relation of Herpesvirus Hominis Type II to Carcinoma of the Cervix

An Animal Model for the Induction of Long-Term Latency of Herpesvirus Hominis Type II

Abstract

Proof of latency of herpesvirus hominis type II (HVH-II) following acute vaginocervical infection must be validated if it is to be considered an etiologic factor in carcinoma of the cervix. An animal model is presented which demonstrates acute HVH-II vaginocervical infection. Following the primary acute infection, animals maintained for an equivalent of 60 human years display persistence of the herpesvirus in the pelvic sensory ganglia. Evidence for the specificity of HVH-II as the infectious agent is presented.