Despite this significant decrease in HSV-2 replication, Cc-Control and Cc-Microvirin did not significantly increase survival or decrease herpetic scores in the mice when compared to those that received HSV-2 alone, suggesting that there may be some non-specific anti-viral effects of recombinant C. crescentus. This could potentially be due to the bacteria providing a physical barrier that makes it more difficult for HSV-2 to interact with epithelial cells to cause infection. The gene discussed is CXCR1; the disease is infection.