Growth of Type 2 Herpes Simplex Virus in Newborn and Adult Mononuclear Leukocytes

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Abstract
Growth of type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV) in newborn and adult human mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) was compared. Phytohemagglutinin stimulation of cultures for 3 days yielded comparable peak titers in newborn (105.3 PFU [plaque forming units]) and adult (105.1 PFU) MNL. Unexpectedly, 3-day cultures of unstimulated newborn MNL also substantially replicated HSV (104.7 PFU), whereas similarly treated unstimulated adult cells did not. Freshly isolated MNL from 4 mothers and 6 nonpregnant adults showed no evidence of virus growth; however, leukocytes from 11 of 24 newborns (46%) supported replication. Newborn MNL manifested an increased ability to replicate HSV within 1 day of culture, whereas comparable growth in adult MNL was not achieved until the 4th day of culture. The significance of these observations as related to visceral dissemination of HSV in the neonate is discussed.