Delayed viral clearance despite high number of activated T cells during the acute phase in Argentinean patients with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Background: The hallmarks of HPS are increase of vascular permeability and endothelial dysfunction. Although an exacerbated immune response is thought to be implicated in pathogenesis, clear evidence is still elusive. As orthohantaviruses are not cytopathic CD8 T cells are believed to be the central players involved in pathogenesis.