Analysis of human cytomegalovirus-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells from infants with liver dysfunction by flow cytometry and the polymerase chain reaction.

Perinatal human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection often involves the hepatobiliary tract, but infected individuals usually remain asymptomatic. We investigated the role of CD8+ lymphocytes in 13 infants with liver dysfunction associated with perinatal HCMV infection. In three patients more than 40% of CD8+ cells were positive for HCMV immediate early antigen (IEA) and late antigen (LA) by flow cytometry after selection of T lymphocytes subpopulations. In the other 10 infants, 20% to 30% of CD8+ cells were positive for HCMV IEA and LA. HCMV IE DNA was detected in CD8+ cells from one infant, in CD4+ cells from one infant, and in both CD4+ and CD8+ cells from three infants. HCMV infection of CD8+ cells may play an important role in the process of perinatal primary infection.