De Paoli P, Gennari D, Martelli P, Cavarzerani V, Comoretto R, Santini G
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, General Hospital, Pordenone, Italy.
J Infect Dis. 1990 May;161(5):1013-6. doi: 10.1093/infdis/161.5.1013.
Lymphocytes bearing gamma delta T cell receptors (TCR) constitute a minor subpopulation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Their role and function during microbial infections are largely unknown. In 10 patients with Epstein-Barr virus-induced infectious mononucleosis, the gamma delta TCR-expressing T cell population expanded during the acute phase. These cells were largely delta TCS1-, CD4-, and CD8- but expressed activation antigens such as human leukocyte antigen-DR and CD38. The convalescent phase of infectious mononucleosis was characterized by a relative persistence of gamma delta T cells. Together these data suggest a possible role of gamma delta T cells in the control of primary Epstein-Barr virus infection in humans.
