Cytomegalovirus-antibody-negative lymphocytes have increased permissiveness for human immunodeficiency virus.

Synergistic activity between cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was observed. In vitro, lymphocytes which were CMV-antibody-negative showed greater cytopathic effects due to HIV than those which were antibody-positive. These cytopathic effects included increased cell death and greater virus production. In vitro stimulation of host lymphocytes with CMV was found to be analogous to that of interleukin-2 stimulation in terms of HIV production and cytopathic effects.