Herpes simplex virus type 2 establishes latency in the mouse footpad.

BALB/c mice were infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 by inoculation into the footpad. Three months or more after infection, and in the total absence of any evidence of illness, latent virus could be reactivated from both ganglia and footpad tissue but only after explantation and culturing for a week or more. Virus recovery from the footpad could not be prevented by treatment of the infected mice with acycloguanosine for up to 6 months in their drinking water at 40 mg/kg, nor by femoral and sciatic nerve section, nor by combining both treatments.