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Idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia: A case report
S Umamaheshwari1, M N Sumana2, M S Shetty3
1Department of Studies in Microbiology, University of Mysore, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
|January 4, 2020
Summary
Idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a rare condition causing low CD4+ T cells without HIV. This case highlights a patient with severe ulcerative colitis and declining CD4+ counts, suggesting a potential link or complication.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a rare immunodeficiency characterized by unexplained low CD4+ T lymphocyte counts.
- ICL diagnosis requires the absence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and other known causes of T cell depletion.
Observation:
- A 29-year-old male presented with severe ulcerative colitis and a CD4+ T lymphocyte count of 254 cells/mm³.
- The patient tested negative for HIV and Human T cell Lymphotrophic virus types I and II.
- He experienced recurrent Candidiasis infections, and his CD4+ count subsequently dropped to 53 cells/mm³ over three months.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited a significant and unexplained decline in CD4+ T lymphocytes.
- The severe ulcerative colitis and recurrent infections may be associated with the lymphocytopenia.
Implications:
- This case underscores the complexity of ICL and its potential association with other chronic inflammatory conditions.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of CD4+ T cell depletion in ICL.
- Understanding these mechanisms could lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with ICL and related disorders.
