Interaction of respiratory syncytial virus with human cord blood mononuclear cells.

This study on the interaction between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human cord blood mononuclear cells shows that RSV replication can occur in neonatal macrophages. Although neonatal lymphocytes were not supportive of RSV replication, exposure to RSV resulted in significant inhibition of mitogen-induced transformation. Both adult and neonatal NK cell cytotoxicity were unaffected by exposure to RSV. These results suggest that RSV has preferential effects on human cord blood mononuclear cell subpopulations.