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Tissue-cultured nerve cells originating from dorsal root ganglia of adult guinea-pigs were infected with type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV) in vitro, and changes in membrane properties were examined (48 h later) by conventional electrophysiological technique using a glass microelectrode. The nerve cells infected with HSV (HSV-NC) failed to generate full-sized Na spikes, which was associated with a marked reduction in the maximum rate of rise of the Na spike, i.e. Na currents. Some SV-NC failed to generate any Na spike. By contrast, the HSV-NC generated unchanged, full-sized Ca spikes when bathed in a Na-free solution containing tetraethylammonium+. Changes in resting membrane properties, such as resting potential, input resistance and capacitance, remained small after the infection. We thus consider that HSV reduces Na currents in a specific fashion in this early period of the infection.