Expression of gamma interferon on circulating lymphocytes in viral infections.
Peripheral blood lymphocytes from a total of 111 patients and 40 healthy individuals were studied for gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) expression on their surfaces by indirect immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometry, with a new anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody (IGMB-14) as a specific reagent. Of 64 patients with proven acute viral infections, 59 had a significantly higher percentage of lymphocytes expressing IFN-gamma on their membranes than healthy individuals did. On the other hand, only 3 (8.9%) of 34 patients with proven bacterial infections had an increased percentage of IFN-gamma-expressing lymphocytes. None of the eight patients with other infections and none of the five with systemic lupus erythematosus showed an increased percentage of IFN-gamma-positive lymphocytes. The percentage of IFN-gamma-expressing lymphocytes during a viral infection was found to be related to different stages of the disease. Finally, some applications of this rapid IFN-gamma assay method in viral diseases are discussed.
Caruso
A
A
Institute of Microbiology, University of Brescia, Italy.
Stellini
R
R
Scalzini
A
A
Pollara
P
P
Foresti
I
I
Bonfanti
C
C
Scura
G
G
Gonzales
R
R
Manca
N
N
Turano
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D012288:Rickettsiaceae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
D007371:Interferon-gamma