[Immunological status of patients with recurrent herpes simplex infections. In vitro effect of thymopoietin and splenin-derived and partially modified peptides on peripheral blood lymphocytes in comparison to a thymus extract].

Immunological studies on 20 patients with frequently recurrent Herpes simplex labialis were performed. Disorders of the cell-mediated immunity were often observed which do not only occur during the relapses. The number of T cells and their function were especially reduced. On the other hand there were no alterations of the CD4/CD8 ratio and the suppressor-activity. In vitro studies with peptides of thymopoietin and splenin justify the assumption that these peptides have therapeutic effects in recurrent herpes simplex infections.