Anti-Epstein-Barr virus memory T-cell response in Chediak-Higashi syndrome patients.

Memory cytotoxic T-cell responses to Epstein-Barr virus transformed B cells were studied in two EBV seropositive Chediak-Higashi syndrome patients who were manifesting the terminal lymphoproliferative stage of the syndrome. The number of cells required for 50% regression of EBV-infected autologous lymphoblastoid cell lines was similar to that in the parents and healthy subjects. This indicates adequate memory cytotoxic T-cell control of EBV-infected B lymphocytes. Defective mechanisms other than those mediated by circulating cytotoxic cells, might be responsible for the chronic active EBV infection observed in these patients.