Persistent Herpes Simplex Virus Infections Established in Two Burkitt Lymphoma Derived Cell Lines

Abstract

Examination of P3HR-1 cells (Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] producer) persistently infected with the MAL strain of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) suggested that only a few cells were actively producing a virus indistinguishable from HSV-1 (MAL) despite the presence of immunofluorescent HSV-1 antigens associated with the majority of cells. EBV-specific immunofluorescence was not altered in HSV-1 persistently infected P3HR-1 cells. HSV-1 persistently infected cells, labelled for 72 h with ¹⁴C-thymidine, incorporated approx. 8% of the label into cell associated HSV-1 DNA as resolved by caesium chloride gradients. Values greater than 8% of the total were suggested by hybridization of gradient fractions with ³H-HSV-1 DNA.