Lack of specific cell mediated immunity to cytomegalovirus in people at risk for AIDS.

Twenty apparently healthy homosexuals from Italy and five patients with lymphadenopathic syndrome (LAS) were studied for specific cell mediated immunity (CMI) to Cytomegalovirus (CMV), by means of the leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT). Total circulating T cells and T cell subpopulations were also investigated by the use of specific monoclonal antibodies of the OK series. An inverted OKT4/T8 ratio was also found in about 30% of subjects. CMV was recovered from the urine of three homosexuals and high specific antibody titers were found in all the people studied. In addition we found a lack of specific CMI to CMV in 18 homosexuals and in 3 patients with LAS. We think that CMV can induce a state of immune tolerance in people at risk for AIDS which may contribute to promote the disease.