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Profound reduction of CD4+ lymphocytes without HIV infection: two cases from the horn of Africa |
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| Authors: | JE Ollé-Goig J Ramírez C Cervera JM Miró |
| Institution: | 1Catalan Association for the Control of Tuberculosis in the Third World (ACTMON), Barcelona, Spain. Formerly at Infectious Diseases Department, Hôpital Général Peltier, Djibouti;2Pathology Department, Hospital Clinic - IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;3Infectious Diseases Service, Hospital Clinic - IDIBAPS. University of Barcelona, Barcelona (Spain) |
| Abstract: | Idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia is a disorder associated with low CD4+ T cell count and opportunistic infections resembling AIDS. Most cases are described in developed countries. We report two HIV-negative patients with idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia and AIDS-defining events diagnosed in Djibouti. The first patient developed lesions of Kaposi''s sarcoma and the second one presented with pulmonary tuberculosis. Both patients died with severe immunodepression. In poor resource-areas where HIV testing may not be available it is important to bear in mind that severe immunodepression and a clinical presentation compatible with AIDS do not necessary carry the diagnosis of AIDS. |
| Keywords: | Human immunodeficiency virus Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Lymphopenia Kaposi''s sarcoma tuberculosis Djibouti |