Natural killing of varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-infected fibroblasts in normal children, children with VZV infections, and children with Hodgkin's disease.

ABSTRACT

We studied mononuclear cell (MNC)-mediated natural killing (NK) of varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-infected fibroblasts in normal children, children with VZV infections, and children with Hodgkin's disease. NK activity was tested in 18 hr 51Cr release assays. NK activity for adults was significantly higher than that for children 1-3 years old or 4-6 years old (p less than 0.05). Serological status did not affect NK activity. NK activity in normal children was not increased 4-6 weeks after immunization with varicella vaccine. Seven normal children with natural varicella showed significantly higher NK activity against VZV-infected and uninfected targets. Eight immunosuppressed children with herpes zoster showed significantly reduced NK activity within 72 hours of the onset of herpes zoster. However, their NK activity rose to the normal level one to two weeks later. Children with Hodgkin's disease had low NK activity. These results suggested that NK cells might play an initial defensive role in VZV infections, and that low NK activity in immunocompromised hosts might contribute to their high incidence of herpes zoster.