γ-Herpesvirus-Induced Protection Against Bacterial Infection Is Transient

Eric Yager

Frank Szaba

Larry Kummer

Kathleen Lanzer

Claire Burkum

Stephen Smiley

Marcia Blackman

Trudeau Institute, Saranac Lake, New York.

^{Corresponding author.}

Address reprint requests to: Dr. Marcia A. Blackman, Trudeau Institute, 154 Algonquin Ave., Saranac Lake, New York 12983. E-mail:gro.etutitsniuaedurt@namkcalbm

Received 2008 Oct 27; Accepted 2008 Nov 10.

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.

Abstract

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