NORMALIZATION OF CD4(+) T-LYMPHOCYTE DEPLETION IN PATIENTS WITHOUT HIV-INFECTION TREATED FOR TUBERCULOSIS

A decrease in the number of circulating CD4(+) T-lymphocytes occurs in subjects infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In those without HIV infection, depletion of T-lymphocytes in general and CD4(+) cells in particular has been reported in association with many underlying conditions, including tuberculosis. A low CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count at the time of diagnosis of tuberculosis does not clarify whether the low count is a predisposing factor for or a consequence of the disease. Our patients without HIV infection but with tuberculosis and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte depletion on presentation normalized their CD4(+) cell counts with tuberculosis treatment. This normalization strongly suggests that tuberculosis is a reversible cause of CD4(+) lymphocytopenia.