Idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia disclosed by the onset of empyema thoracis.
A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in December 1996 due to empyema thoracis. A laboratory examination revealed lymphocytopenia and CD4+ T lymphocytopenia (<300 cells/ microl). No evidence for a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was found. No malignant, hematological or autoimmune disease was detected. We thus diagnosed this case as being idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia (ICL). During his hospital treatment, he was affected with cytomegaloviral retinitis and cured by therapy. His subsequent treatment went well without a recurrence of severe infection although a low CD4+ T lymphocyte count continued after the recovery from empyema thoracis.
First Department of Medicine, Wakayama University of Medical Science.
T
T
Hamanishi
T
T
Nakao
M
M
Nishino
T
T
Yanagawa
M
M
Kobayashi
H
H
Sasaki
G
G
Matsumoto
T
T
Sanke
K
K
Nanjyo
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013396:Suction; D018344:T-Lymphocytopenia, Idiopathic CD4-Positive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015774:Ganciclovir