Altered Immunophenotypic Parameters in Infertile Women. Possible Role of Herpes Viremia

Problem Purpose of this study was to reveal any alteration in peripheral blood lymphocytic concentrations of a large cohort of infertile women and to investigate the possible role of herpes viremia in the peripheral immunostimulation. Method of study The immunophenotypic characteristics and the presence of herpes viruses DNA in the peripheral blood of 168 infertile women were studied. Results Peripheral CD56+/CD16+ natural killer (NK) cell concentration, CD56+/CD16− NK cell concentration, white blood cell (WBC) concentration and lymphocyte concentration were statistically correlated to herpes viremia. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) viremia is related with a limited reduction of CD56+/CD16− cell levels in the peripheral blood of infertile women with regard to the rest of herpes viruses. High T-lymphocyte concentration, CD4+ T-cell concentration and CD8+ T-cell concentration was observed in women positive for three different kinds of herpes viruses (triple viremia) in the peripheral blood. Conclusions Assuming that all women under study remained asymptomatic, these data suggest that subclinical herpesvirus viremia may be an important cause of peripheral immunostimulation in women with a history of infertility.