Herpes simplex virus vaccines

Abstract

The present invention is directed to Herpes simplex-2 viruses that may be used in vaccines to immunize patients against genital herpes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A replication-defective, dominant-negative Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) recombinant virus, comprising within its genome:
 a) a first sequence encoding a first HSV-2 glycoprotein D (gD2) wherein said sequence is operably linked to a first promoter and said first promoter is operably linked to a first tetracycline operator (Tet-O) sequence;   b) optionally, a second sequence encoding a second HSV-2 gD2 wherein said second sequence is operably linked to a second promoter and said second promoter is operably linked to a second tet-O sequence;   c) a third sequence encoding a first dominant negative mutant form of HSV-1 or HSV-2 UL9 protein, wherein said third sequence is operably linked to a third promoter and said third promoter is operably linked to a third tetracycline operator (Tet-O) sequence;   d) optionally, a fourth sequence encoding a second dominant negative mutant form of HSV-1 or HSV-2 UL9 protein, wherein said fourth sequence is operably linked to a fourth promoter and said fourth promoter is operably linked to a fourth tetracycline operator (Tet-O) sequence;   and wherein said genome does not comprise a sequence encoding a functional ICP0 protein.