Alteration of lymphocyte subpopulations with cytomegalovirus infection in infancy

The distribution of immunoglobulin bearing (Ig+), T, and null lymphocyte subpopulations and the lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were determined in three infants with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. These infants had significantly decreased percentages of T cells (13%, 29% and 40%) compared to age-matched controls (61 +/- 2%). Compensatory increases in the percentages of Ig+ and null cells occurred. Decreased lymphocyte reactivity to PHA and PWM occurred in two patients. Purified T cells from these patients had normal reactivity indicating a disproportion of T cells in the peripheral blood. These abnormalities may result from CMV infection of lymphocytes and could be responsible for prolonged CMV viruria.