Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Spreads to Lymph Nodes and Strongly Expands CD4+ Effector Memory RA Cells in a Patient With Mild Coronavirus Disease 2019

Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Dec 6;73(11):e3970-e3973. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1422.

Abstract

A woman with mild coronavirus disease 2019 developed cervical adenopathy, being diagnosed of Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis. We performed fine needle aspiration, and demonstrate that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is found in lymph nodes even in mild disease along with a strong expansion of terminally differentiated effector memory CD4+ T cells, a cell population that is practically absent in lymph nodes.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; CD4+ TEMRA cells; coinfection; lymph node.

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • COVID-19*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections*
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes
  • SARS-CoV-2