Both total CD8+ T-cells and tetramer-positive CD8+ T-cells were examined for markers known to be expressed by CD8+ T-cells responding to acute EBV infection; namely activation status as defined by co-expression of CD38 and HLA-DR, cycling status as defined by the expression of Ki-67, and apoptosis sensitivity as indicated by loss of Bcl-2, which is down regulated in activated EBV-specific cells in AIM patients. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is Epstein-Barr virus infection.