Relationship of adenovirus to lymphocytes in naturally infected human tonsils and adenoids

Purified lymphocytes from human tonsil and adenoid specimens were cultured with and without phytohemagglutinin. Adenovirus was isolated from lymphocytes of 8 of 90 specimens tested. With one exception, it was necessary to culture the lymphocytes before infectious virus could be detected. Phytohemagglutinin stimulation enhanced the recovery of virus. The results suggest that lymphocytes in tonsils and adenoids may be naturally infected with adenovirus and that, in positive cultures, at least 1 of every 10(7) cells harbors virus or viral precursor at initiation of the cultures. Adenovirus was demonstrated directly in fresh suspensions of unpurified cells from tonsils and adenoids in seven cases. In five of these cases, at least 1 of every 10(6) cells contained infectious virus. Adenovirus was isolated from 61 (62%) of 98 tonsil and adenoid specimens by the conventional method of tissue fragment culture after various periods of cultivation. The viruses isolated were of serotypes 1, 2, 5, and 6.