MAJOR EXPANSIONS OF SELECT CD8(-BARR-VIRUS INFECTION - COMPARISON WITH CHRONIC HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS DISEASE() SUBSETS IN ACUTE EPSTEIN)

CD8(+) lymphocyte phenotypes were characterized during acute Epstein-B arr virus (EBV) infection, and a comparison was made to previous studi es of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This was of interest because CD8(+) cells contribute to immunologic control of both infections, bu t the usual outcome of EBSr infection is benign, whereas untreated HIV infection is fatal. During acute EBV infection, CD8(+) cells expresse d elevated levels of the activation antigens CD38 and HLA-DR, similar to that during chronic HIV infection. Within 16 weeks, when EBV latenc y is established, CD8(+) cell activation had resolved. In contrast, ac tivation persists in HIV infection. Expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on C D8(+) cells could be a marker for ongoing viral replication in both in fections. Other CD8(+) cell alterations observed in this study of acut e EBV infection included increases in both CD62L(-) and CD62L(+) CD8() cells and unique kinetics in the expansion of the CD57(+)CD8(+) cell subset.