Imbalance of the Epstein-Barr virus-host relationship in AIDS-related complex patients

Patients affected by AIDS related-complex (ARC) showed several immunological abnormalities that could lead to a disregulation of immunosurveillance against viral latent infections. We report Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation was found in seven of eight ARC patients and in two of seven affected by persistent generalized lymphoadenopathy. These patients showed either elevated levels of circulating EBV-positive transformed cells and/or depressed EBV-specific T cell cytotoxicity as assessed by the regression assay. Natural killer cell activity was found to be decreased and correlated with evidence of circulating EBV-infected cells and with impaired EBV-specific immune control. Our data demonstrate that loss of control of EBV latency in the infected host by specific immune mechanisms increases the risk for EBV reactivation and emergence of clones with unlimited growth potential. A role of EBV as a cofactor in the development of ARC is suggested.