Detection of human cytomegalovirus in peripheral blood lymphocytes in a natural infection

Rachel D. Schrier, Jay A. Nelson, Michael B.A. Oldstone

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

268 Scopus citations

Abstract

In situ hybridization was used to detect human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of some naturally infected (seropositive) individuals. A subpopulation of cells hybridized specifically to a portion of the HCMV genome that is heavily transcribed during the immediate-early period of infection. The hybridization signal was markedly reduced by base hydrolysis and ribonuclease, and therefore the probe appears to be detecting viral RNA. A fluorescence-activated cell sorter was used to select lymphocytes bearing the OKT4 and OKT8 markers. Hybridization with the HCMV probe revealed a higher proportion of positive cells in the OKT4 than in the OKT8 subset. This observation specifically identifies lymphocytes as a cell population involved in natural HCMV infection and suggests that lymphocytes may be a reservoir for maintaining infection and may also serve as a vehicle for its spread by blood transfusion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1048-1051
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume230
Issue number4729
DOIs
StatePublished - 1985
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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