γ-Herpesvirus-Induced Protection Against Bacterial Infection Is Transient

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Abstract
Herpesviruses are widely disseminated in the population and establish lifelong latency, which is associated with a variety of pathological consequences. A recent report showed that mice latently infected with either murine γ-herpesvirus-68 (γHV68) or murine cytomegalovirus (mCMV), mouse pathogens genetically similar to the human herpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus, and cytomegalovirus, had enhanced resistance to subsequent bacterial infection, suggesting protective as well as deleterious effects of latency. Here we confirm that latent γHV68 infection confers protection against subsequent infection with Listeria monocytogenes. However, the effect is transient, lasting only a few months.