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CD4 cell counts in human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients with tuberculosis
B E Jones1, M M Oo, E K Taikwel
1Department of Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Summary
Tuberculosis severity impacts CD4 cell counts in HIV-negative patients, with low albumin being a key indicator. Treatment typically restores normal CD4 counts within a month.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) can affect immune cell counts.
- CD4 cell counts are crucial for immune status assessment.
- Understanding factors influencing CD4 counts in TB patients is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate clinical features associated with low CD4 cell counts in HIV-negative patients with tuberculosis.
- To identify predictors of depressed CD4 cell counts in this population.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of 85 HIV-negative patients with tuberculosis.
- Analysis of clinical features, including CD4 cell counts, total lymphocyte counts, serum albumin, body-mass index, and hematocrit.
- Multivariate linear discriminant analysis to identify predictors of low CD4 cell counts.
Main Results:
- CD4 cell counts were strongly correlated with total lymphocyte counts.
- Low serum albumin, extensive pulmonary disease, low body-mass index, and low hematocrit were associated with depressed CD4 cell counts.
- Serum albumin level was the best single predictor of low CD4 cell counts when total lymphocyte count was excluded.
- CD4 cell counts normalized in most patients after one month of TB therapy.
Conclusions:
- Disease severity in tuberculosis is linked to reduced total lymphocyte and CD4 cell counts.
- Serum albumin level is a significant indicator of CD4 cell depletion in TB patients.
- Therapeutic intervention for tuberculosis can lead to immune recovery, evidenced by normalized CD4 cell counts.