Demonstration of primary cytotoxic T cells in venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid of children with mumps meningitis.

Abstract

Cryopreserved lymphocytes from venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 10 children with mumps meningitis were tested in 5-hr 51Cr-release assays against uninfected and mumps virus-infected PHA-blasts. Lymphocytes from all patients were cytotoxic to autologous mumps virus-infected target cells, but completely failed to lyse histoincompatible virus-infected PHA-blasts. Cytotoxicity was specific for the infecting virus, and was mediated by E rosette-forming lymphocytes. The effector cells were present over 2 to 3 wk after onset of meningitis. Mumps viral antigens appeared to be preferentially recognized in association with HLA B determinants. The results show that specifically sensitized cytotoxic T cells (CTL) are induced in patients with mumps meningitis. These cells circulate in venous blood and are locally enriched in CSF. Based on clinical observations, it is proposed that mumps-specific CTL play an immunopathologic role.