CD8dimCD3+ lymphocytes in fever patients might be biomarkers of active EBV infection and exclusion indicator of T-LGLL.

ABSTRACT

Background: Massive monoclonal or oligoclonal expansion of CD8+ T cells is a notable feature of primary infections of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). However, the clinical significance of this expansion is not clear. Results: An increase in the CD8dimCD3+ lymphocyte subset in patients with active EBV infection was due to caspase-8-dependent apoptosis was found using flow cytometry in this study. The number of these cells was associated with the illness severity. Pan-T-cell antigen and receptor analyses were also compared in patients with active EBV infections and T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia to provide additional diagnostic information. Conclusion: The increase in CD8dimCD3+ cells could be a biomarker of active EBV infection and an exclusion indicator of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia with flow cytometric analysis.