T Cells and Hantavirus Diseases
Author Information
Author(s): Masanori Terajima, Francis A. Ennis
Primary Institution: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Hypothesis
Increased capillary permeability in hantavirus diseases may be caused by hantavirus-specific cytotoxic T cells attacking endothelial cells.
Conclusion
Both too strong and too weak T cell responses can lead to severe disease in hantavirus infections.
Supporting Evidence
- T cell responses positively correlated with disease severity in hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome.
- High levels of cytokine-producing cells were found in lung tissues from patients with fatal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
- Regulatory T cells were found to inversely correlate with disease severity in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.
Takeaway
T cells help fight off hantavirus infections, but if they are too active or not active enough, they can make people very sick.
Methodology
The study involved analyzing T cell responses in patients with hantavirus infections and comparing them to disease severity.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in patient selection and reporting of T cell responses.
Limitations
The study may not account for all variables influencing T cell responses and disease severity.
Participant Demographics
Patients with hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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