Idiopathic CD4+ T lymphopenia in older persons.
OBJECTIVE
Survey of the association of idiopathic CD4+ T cell lymphocytopenia in older persons with protein energy undernutrition and unusual infections/colonizations.


METHODS
Retrospective chart analysis.


RESULTS
Five subjects aged 61 to 87 years, with unusual organisms and/or either marasmus or kwashiorkor, were noted to have absolute CD4+ and CD8+ T cell lymphocytopenia. All were HIV negative.


CONCLUSIONS
T cell lymphocytopenia may not be a uncommon finding in malnourished older persons, but additional studies to determine its prevalence need to be undertaken. Its role in disease and impact on therapeutic response needs to be further explored.
Kaiser
F E
FE
Department of Medicine, St. Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri.
Morley
J E
JE
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018344:T-Lymphocytopenia, Idiopathic CD4-Positive / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology