EFFICACY OF A RECOMBINANT GLYCOPROTEIN-D SUBUNIT VACCINE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY AND RECURRENT OCULAR INFECTION WITH HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE-1 IN MICE

The protective efficacy of a glycoprotein D subunit vaccine (gD2 SB AS 4) was evaluated in a mouse model of human recurrent herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK), When administered before primary infection, gD2 SB AS 4 protected mice against corneal pathology, mortality, and latency res ulting from ocular viral challenge with herpes simplex virus type 1 (H SV-1) McKrae strain. In addition, gD2 SB AS4 significantly decreased p ostreactivation corneal disease. A control vaccine, gD2 alum, protecte d against acute ocular infection only. When administered after primary infection, gD2 SB AS4 vaccination decreased postreactivation ocular s hedding but had no other significant effects. Vaccination with gD2 SB AS4 was associated with high anti-go antibody responses and low delaye d-type hypersensitivity responses, These results have identified a pro phylactic vaccine, gD2 SB AS4, with activity against acute and recurre nt HSK in mice and emphasize the need for vaccine evaluation in both p rimary and recurrent ocular herpetic disease models.