Significance of CMV-seropositivity in the alterations of CD4+ T-cell subsets and expression of their phenotyping markers in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is a B-cell malignancy which has been associated with a variety of abnormalities in non-malignant T cells. Viral antigens are able to produce profound alterations in T-cells and cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been involved in T-cell abnormalities in healthy elderly individuals. Therefore the relationship between these changes and CMV was studied in CLL patients. This was a cross sectional study and included 79 B-CLL patients (41 CMV seropositive and 38 CMV seronegative). The cell counting was done by Coulter cell counter. The T-cell subgroups and cell phenotype were studied by monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. The secretion of cytokine was detected by intracellular cytokine staining post stimulation and short time culture. CD8+ and CD4+CD8dim T cell subgroups were significantly more in CMV+ patients than CMV negatives (P