Observed relationship between herpetic lesions and antigenic type of Herpesvirus hominis.

Of 171 available strains of Herpesvirus hominis isolated in this laboratory during the period 1950 to 1975, 166 could be readily typed as HV-1 or HV-2 by indirect immunofluorescence, while 5 have so far been untypable. Of 72 typable isolates from genitalia and nearby skin, all were HV-2. Of 81 typable isolates from mouth, eye or skin above the waist, 68(84%) were HV-1 and 13(16%) were HV-2. Of isolates from the eye only, 46 of 54(87%) were HV-1, 7(13%) were HV-2, and 1 could not be typed. When sera were available for herpesvirus antibody titrations, the pattern of antibody response tended to match the type of isolate. Clinical findings of 5 of the individuals with ocular herpes caused by HV-2 have been reviewed. The HV-2 infections appeared to be severe, typical herpetic keratoconjunctivitis, sometimes with deep infiltrates and stromal involvement.