Acute COVID-19 alters CD8 T-cells in a cohort, suggesting impaired control of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation.
Key Points
This research aims to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and the reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in patients, focusing on changes in CD8 T-cells.
Assessed immune cell populations using flow cytometry in 61 patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Biobanked blood samples were analyzed for co-occurrence of viral infections using qPCR.
Evaluated CD8 T-cell markers related to exhaustion and activation in relation to EBV reactivation.
EBV reactivation was found in 72.72% of critical COVID-19 patients and 67.86% of moderate patients.
CD8 T-cells showed decreased expression of the co-stimulatory marker CD28 and increased levels of the exhaustion marker CD57.
These changes indicate an altered activation state of CD8 T-cells, linked with EBV reactivation.