title: Immunological alterations associated with recurrent herpes simplex genitalis.
abstract: Immunological studies on 12 patients with culture-proven frequently recurrent herpes simplex genitalis were performed. All the patients were evaluated at three time intervals, initially without lesions and/or within 24 hr of lesion onset (acute illness); Days 5-7 from onset and after healing (convalescence); and between recurrences (quiescence). During the first 24 hr of lesions there was a decreased number of helper (CD4+) and an increased number of suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8+) cells with a resultant decrease in the CD4/CD8 ratio. An increased proportion of CD8+ cells coexpressing the CD11 marker (suppressor cells) was noted and correlated with a low proliferative response to HSV-2 antigens. Both the NK cells (CD16+) and the NK cell activity versus HSV-2-infected targets and the K562 cell line were decreased. Five to seven days after onset the number of CD8+ cells remained increased, although the expression of CD11 marker was decreased, indicating that the majority of CD8+ cells were cytotoxic (i.e., CD8+CD11-). At this time, the lymphoproliferative response to HSV-2 antigens and NK cell activity increased, correlating both with the number of CD16+ cells and with the expression of HLA-DR on this subset. In the interval between two recurrences, no significant alteration in any of the above immunological parameters was observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cauda
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laghi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tumbarello
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ortona
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Whitley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens