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Idiopathic CD4+ T lymphopenia in older persons
1Department of Medicine, St. Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Idiopathic CD4+ T cell lymphocytopenia in older adults may be linked to malnutrition and unusual infections. Further research is needed to understand its prevalence and impact.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Idiopathic CD4+ T cell lymphocytopenia is a condition affecting older individuals.
- Protein energy undernutrition is prevalent in the elderly population.
- Unusual infections and colonizations can occur in immunocompromised individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between idiopathic CD4+ T cell lymphocytopenia in older persons and protein energy undernutrition.
- To explore the link between T cell lymphocytopenia and unusual infections/colonizations in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart analysis of patients aged 61 to 87 years.
- Evaluation of absolute CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts.
- Assessment for signs of malnutrition (marasmus or kwashiorkor) and unusual infections.
Main Results:
- Five HIV-negative subjects exhibited absolute CD4+ and CD8+ T cell lymphocytopenia.
- These subjects presented with unusual organisms and/or severe malnutrition (marasmus or kwashiorkor).
Conclusions:
- T cell lymphocytopenia may be a common finding in malnourished older individuals.
- Further studies are required to determine the prevalence of T cell lymphocytopenia in this demographic.
- The role of T cell lymphocytopenia in disease and its impact on treatment response warrant further investigation.