Dengue virus-induced cytotoxic factor suppresses immune response of mice to sheep erythrocytes.

The present study was undertaken to investigate if the suppressed cell-mediated immune responses observed in dengue type 2 virus (DV)-infected mice could be due to the cytotoxic factor (CF) produced in the spleens of DV-infected mice. We have observed that CF given intravenously (i.v.) kills splenic cells and reduces the total cells in the spleen. Mice treated with CF have a significantly depressed immune response to sheep erythrocytes, viz. delayed-type-hypersensitivity as measured by footpad swelling reaction at 24 hr; Jerne's antibody plaque-forming cells in the spleen; and migration inhibition of spleen cells in presence of antigen. These findings are similar to those seen earlier in DV-infected mice.