Stressor-induced alterations in immune response and viral clearance following infection with herpes simplex virus-type 1 in BALB/c and C57B1/6 mice

Extending earlier studies of stress-induced modulation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and immunity, we investigated the effects of electric foot shock (0.3 mA) on cytokine production and immune effector function in response to a nonlethal inoculum of HSV-1 in two strains of inbred mice, C57B1/6 and BALB/c. Increased levels of infectious virus at the site of infection were observed in foot-shocked mice of both strains compared to control mice. The specific pattern of changes in interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-gamma, as well as IL-4 and IL-10, induced by foot-shock stress differed between the two strains. IgM anti-HSV antibody responses were, however, increased in both strains. (C) 1997 Academic Press.