Normalization of CD4+ T-lymphocyte depletion in patients without HIV infection treated for tuberculosis.
A decrease in the number of circulating CD4+ T-lymphocytes occurs in subjects infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In those without HIV infection, depletion of T-lymphocytes in general and CD4+ cells in particular has been reported in association with many underlying conditions, including tuberculosis. A low CD4+ T-lymphocyte count at the time of diagnosis of tuberculosis does not clarify whether the low count is a predisposing factor for or a consequence of the disease. Our patients without HIV infection but with tuberculosis and CD4+ T-lymphocyte depletion on presentation normalized their CD4+ cell counts with tuberculosis treatment. This normalization strongly suggests that tuberculosis is a reversible cause of CD4+ lymphocytopenia.
Turett
G S
GS
Division of Infectious Diseases, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, NY.
Telzak
E E
EE
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000328:Adult; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*