Chronic stress, leukocyte subpopulations, and humoral response to latent viruses.

Compared total numbers of leukocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations (determined by flow cytometry) and antibody titers to latent and nonlatent viruses among 12 chronically stressed individuals (mean age 36.6 yrs) living near the damaged Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant with those of 8 age-matched, demographically comparable controls. Urinary catecholamine and cortisol levels were also examined. Residents of the TMI area exhibited greater numbers of neutrophils, which were positively correlated with epinephrine levels. The TMI group also exhibited fewer B lymphocytes, T-suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes, and natural killer cells. Antibody titers to herpes simplex were significantly different between the groups as well. TMI Ss showed more evidence of stress responding than controls. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)