Abstract
A significantly higher frequency of urinary excretion of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was noted in homosexual men (29 [18%] of 161) than in heterosexual men (3 [4%] of 77) attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. However, differences were not significant when only persons with antibody to HCMV were compared (29 of 157 vs. 3 of 33). The homosexual men who excreted HCMV had a significantly lower mean ratio of T-helper (OKT4+) to T-suppressor (OKT8+) cells (1.13 +/- 0.09) than did the homosexuals who did not excrete HCMV (1.67 +/- 0.1) or than did the heterosexual men (2.28 +/- 0.2). The abnormal ratio resulted from both a decrease in the percentage of OKT4+ and an increase in percentage of OKT8+ lymphocytes. The urinary excretion of HCMV by asymptomatic individuals who exhibit serological evidence of previous infection by this virus may be an indicator of impaired immune competence.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.