Lymphocyte populations in acute viral gastroenteritis

Abstract

Viral gstroenteritis was induced in 16 of 24 normal volunteers after oral administration of the [parvovirus-like] Norwalk or Hawaii agent. Clinical illness lasted 24-48 h and resolved spontaneously. During acute illness, a transient lymphopenia was noted which involved all lymphocyte subpopulations (thymus- and bone marrow-derived, and null cells). No circulating lymphocytotoxins were detected, and the lymphocytes remaining in the circulation responded normally to mitogenic stimuli [concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin]. The acute lymphopenia occurred at the time that mononuclear cell infiltration of the jejunal mucosa was noted. These findings are consistent with the occurrence of a redistribution of circulating lymphocytes during acute illness, with accumulation of lymphocytes at the site of infection in the gut.