Demonstration of primary cytotoxic T cells in venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid of children with mumps meningitis.

Cryopreserved lymphocytes from venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 10 children with mumps meningitis were tested in 5-hr 51Cr-release assays against uninfected and mumps virus-infected PHA-blasts. Lymphocytes from all patients were cytotoxic to autologous mumps virus-infected target cells, but completely failed to lyse histoincompatible virus-infected PHA-blasts. Cytotoxicity was specific for the infecting virus, and was mediated by E rosette-forming lymphocytes. The effector cells were present over 2 to 3 wk after onset of meningitis. Mumps viral antigens appeared to be preferentially recognized in association with HLA B determinants. The results show that specifically sensitized cytotoxic T cells (CTL) are induced in patients with mumps meningitis. These cells circulate in venous blood and are locally enriched in CSF. Based on clinical observations, it is proposed that mumps-specific CTL play an immunopathologic role.