Human seminal plasma inhibits the lymphocyte response to infection with Epstein-Barr virus

Epidemiological studies have shown that infection by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is most common in the age group in which sexual activity commences. This observation and the recent evidence that EBV replication can occur in the epithelium of the uterine cervix have led to the suggestion that EBV may be sexually transmitted. Activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes is important in the control of EBV replication. Using an established lymphocyte regression assay, this study showed that dialyzed human seminal plasma in low concentrations inhibits the normal lymphocyte response to infection with EBV. These results suggest that seminal plasma may facilitate EBV replication in the uterine cervix by inhibition of lymphocyte function. This effect may also be important in the host response to other sexually transmitted viruses and may have some bearing on the etiology of cervical cancer.