Analysis of human cytomegalovirus-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells from infants with liver dysfunction by flow cytometry and the polymerase chain reaction.

[摘要] Perinatal human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection often involves the hepatobiliary tract, but infected individuals usually remain asymptomatic. We investigated the role of CD8+ lymphocytes in 13 infants with liver dysfunction associated with perinatal HCMV infection. In three patients more than 40% of CD8+ cells were positive for HCMV immediate early antigen (IEA) and late antigen (LA) by flow cytometry after selection of T lymphocytes subpopulations. In the other 10 infants, 20% to 30% of CD8+ cells were positive for HCMV IEA and LA. HCMV IE DNA was detected in CD8+ cells from one infant, in CD4+ cells from one infant, and in both CD4+ and CD8+ cells from three infants. HCMV infection of CD8+ cells may play an important role in the process of perinatal primary infection.

[学科分类] 生理学