ULTRASTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF CIRCULATING CYTOMEGALIC CELLS IN PATIENTSWITH ACTIVE CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INFECTION - EVIDENCE FOR VIRUS PRODUCTIONAND ENDOTHELIAL ORIGIN

The presence of cytomegalic inclusion cells in the peripheral blood of patients with an active cytomegalovirus infection has recently been d emonstrated. Immunologic staining showed that these cells were of endo thelial origin. Study of circulating cytomegalic cells by transmission electron microscopy showed the cells to be productively infected with cytomegalovirus. Viral capsids were present in the nucleus and virus particles and dense bodies were found in the cytoplasm. The results in dicate that these circulating cytomegalic cells could disseminate cyto megalovirus throughout the body. In addition, the finding of a cluster of cytomegalic cells in the peripheral blood linked together by zonul a adherens type cell junctions is further evidence that these cells ar e of endothelial origin and suggests that the endothelial damage may b e extensive.