Role of retroviruses in acquired hypogammaglobulinaemia

Mononuclear cells were obtained from 42 patients with 'common variable' hypogammaglobulinaemia (CVH) and co-cultured with various cell lines in an attempt to isolate retroviruses. Cultures from only two patients showed evidence of a viral infection, although the virus could not be isolated and characterized in either. Despite the previous isolation of HIV's from two other CVH patients, this data suggests that similar viruses are not etiologically involved in the majority of patients.