Sequential Genital Infections by Herpes Simplex Viruses Types 1 and 2

Abstract

Virus isolated from a woman presenting with the 1st symptomatic episode of genital herpes was identified as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) by restriction nuclease fingerprinting. Testing for IgM antibody to HSV indicated that the patient recently contracted a new HSV infection. Virus microneutralization and the micro-solid phase radioimmunometric test for IgG showed that the patient had prior infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2); thus the HSV-1 infection was acquired despite the presence of antibody to HSV-2. Genital herpes recurred about 4, 7 and 9 mo. after the HSV-1 infection. Isolates from the latter 3 episodes all were of an identical strain of HSV-2 and were not recombinants or a mixture of the viruses. The data show that 2 distinctly different herpes simplex viruses can initiate genital infections in 1 individual and suggest that HSV-2 is more likely to recur than HSV-1.