Evaluation of Immune Response Modifying Compounds Utilizing Virus-Specific HumanT Lymphocyte Clones

摘要

A wide variety of viruses which pose little or no public health threat in theUnited States are significant problems for military personnel stationed in parts of the world where these viruses are endemic. Many of these viruses are dependent on an insect vector and are found primarily in tropical regions. Infections with these viruses result in symptoms which range from temporarily debilitating to extremely serious and many are potentially fatal. The large number of these viruses and the difficulties involved in working with many of them make vaccination an impractical goal at this time. Natural or synthetic compounds which enhance the ability of the immune system to defend against these viruses would provide broader spectrum management of such infections. The prophylactic and/or therapeutic use of such agents could provide the critical difference in the outcome of situations involving large scale virus exposure of military personnel.