[Influence of viral infections in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis]

The authors found a significant reduction of the suppressor function in carriers of the Australian antigen. This may contribute to a formation of immune complexes. Infection of rabbits with Herpes simplex virus resulted in an essentially enhanced development of experimental atherosclerosis against the background of a reduction of the suppressor function. These findings give evidence of the importance of viral infection in the development of atherosclerosis due to an inhibition of the suppressor function of T lymphocytes.