Stress-related immune suppression: health implications.
This study used a year-long prospective design to assess linkages among distress, immunity, and illness. Serial blood samples were collected from 40 first-year medical students at the first, third, and fifth examination periods, as well as 1 month before each. There were significant decrements in the production of gamma-interferon by concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes obtained at the time of examinations. Antibody titers to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) increased during examination periods, suggesting reactivation of latent EBV and therefore poorer cellular immune control of latent virus. We obtained data that suggest that T-cell killing by memory T lymphocytes of EBV transformed autologous B lymphocytes also declined during examination periods. The activity of a lymphokine, leukocyte migration inhibition factor, normally suppressed during recrudescence of herpes simplex virus type 2 infections, was altered during examination periods and an increase in both plasma and intracellular levels of cyclic AMP associated with examination stress was observed. An increase in the incidence of self-reported symptoms of infectious illness was also associated with examination periods. The data support the linkage between stress-related immunosuppression and health.
Glaser
R
R
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus.
Rice
J
J
Sheridan
J
J
Fertel
R
R
Stout
J
J
Speicher
C
C
Pinsky
D
D
Kotur
M
M
Post
A
A
Beck
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000097:blood; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000172:deficiency; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D014775:Virus Activation
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000242:Cyclic AMP