Immunodeficiency induced by child abuse.
We report the case of a 9-year-old girl who died from sepsis from cellulitis of the neck caused by a right ear injury. The autopsy findings showed severe involution of the thymus and atrophy of lymphoid tissues. The impairment of T- and B-cell functions was demonstrated both histologically and immunohistologically. Thymic involution caused by child abuse might lead to secondary immunodeficiency.
Fukunaga
T
T
Department of Forensic Medicine and Sciences, Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan. fukunaga@doc.medic.mie-u.ac.jp
Tanegashima
A
A
Yamamoto
H
H
Saijoh
K
K