Phenotypic analysis of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peripheral blood of maedi visna-infected sheep.

A phenotypic analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and peripheral blood (PB) cells in maedi visna virus (MVV)-infected sheep has been performed. The differential cell count in BALF from MVV-infected animals was characterized by a significant increase (P < 0.05) in lymphocytes and neutrophils. Lymphocyte phenotyping in BALF from MVV-infected sheep showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) of CD4+ cells, a significant increase (P < 0.05) of CD8+ cells and a significant inversion (P < 0.001) of the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. CD5+ lymphocytes were also significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Gamma delta T cells and B cells did not differ significantly when compared with the controls. No correlation was observed between BALF and PB lymphocyte phenotypes. BALF macrophages from MVV-infected animals showed increased MHC class II expression and BALF lymphocytes from the same animals demonstrated up-regulation of LFA-1 and LFA-3 expression. These findings and their relationship with lentiviral pathogenesis are discussed.