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Published on: October 31, 2010
[Clinicopathologic correlation between CD4-positive T lymphocyte counts and superficial lymphadenopathy in
Xiang-chan Lu1, Jian-ning Deng, Ai-chun Huang
1Department of Infection, the Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning 530023, China.
Insights
Superficial lymphadenopathy in HIV/AIDS patients is often caused by tuberculosis. Low CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts correlate with increased lymphadenopathy incidence, highlighting its importance for early diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Context:
- Superficial lymphadenopathy is a common clinical finding in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- The relationship between CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts, a key indicator of immune status in HIV/AIDS, and the occurrence of superficial lymphadenopathy requires further elucidation.
- Understanding these clinicopathological correlations is crucial for managing opportunistic infections and improving patient outcomes.
Purpose:
- This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological correlation between CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts and superficial lymphadenopathy in a cohort of HIV/AIDS patients.
- The research sought to identify the primary etiological agents responsible for superficial lymphadenopathy in this population.
- It also aimed to establish the predictive value of CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts in the context of superficial lymphadenopathy.
Summary:
- A total of 1066 HIV/AIDS patients were analyzed for superficial lymphadenopathy and peripheral blood CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts.
- Tuberculosis emerged as the most frequent cause of superficial lymphadenopathy, followed by reactive hyperplasia, AIDS-related lymphadenopathy, and Penicillium disease.
- A significant correlation was observed between a lower CD4(+) T lymphocyte count and an increased incidence of superficial lymphadenopathy, as well as a higher risk of opportunistic infections.
Impact:
- The findings underscore the significance of monitoring CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts for the early detection and management of superficial lymphadenopathy in HIV/AIDS patients.
- Identifying tuberculosis as a leading cause emphasizes the need for prompt etiological diagnosis and targeted treatment.
- Integrating CD4(+) T lymphocyte count determination into the diagnostic workup can enhance the timely management of superficial lymphadenopathy and associated opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals.
Objective:
To explore the clinicopathological correlation between CD4(+) T lymphocyte count and superficial lymphadenopathy HIV/AIDS patients.
Methods:
A total of 1066 HIV/AIDS patients were included in this study. The incidence of superficial lymphadenopathy, peripheral blood CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts and histological features of superficial lymphadenopathy were analyzed.
Results:
Among 1066 patients, 126 cases (11.8%) presented with superficial lymphadenopathy. Of the 126 cases, there were 69 cases with CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts < 100/µl and clinical diagnoses including tuberculosis (37 cases), reactive hyperplasia (8 cases), AIDS-related lymphadenopathy (18 cases), penicillium diseases (12 cases), fungal infection (5 cases) and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (1 case). Twenty-six cases had CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts between 100/µl to 200/µl and clinical diagnosis including tuberculosis (12 cases), reactive hyperplasia (8 cases), AIDS-related lymphadenopathy(6 cases), penicillium disease (2 cases) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (1 case). Twenty-nine cases had CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts > 200/µl and clinical diagnoses including tuberculosis (11 cases), reactive hyperplasia (12 cases), AIDS-related lymphadenopathy (3 cases), Penicillium diseases (1 case) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (4 cases). The CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts among patients with tuberculosis, AIDS-related lymphadenopathy and Penicillium diseases were significantly different (χ(2) = 8.861, P = 0.012). A significant correlation between the incidence of superficial lymphadenopathy and CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts was found (χ(2) = 375.41, P = 0.000).
Conclusions:
The most common cause of superficial lymphadenopathy in HIV/AIDS patients is tuberculosis, followed by lymph node reactive hyperplasia, AIDS-related lymphadenopathy and Penicillium disease. Low CD4(+) T lymphocyte count correlates with an increased incidence of superficial lymphadenopathy and the risk of opportunity infection. Therefore, determination of peripheral blood CD4(+) T lymphocyte count should become an integral marker for the early diagnosis and treatment of superficial lymphadenopathy in HIV/AIDS patients.
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