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Profound reduction of CD4+ lymphocytes without HIV infection: two cases from the horn of Africa


JE Ollé-Goig
J Ramírez
C Cervera
JM Miró

Abstract

Idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia is a disorder associated with low CD4+ T cell count and opportunistic infections resembling AIDS. Most cases are described in developed countries. We report two HIV-negative patients with idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia and AIDS-defining events diagnosed in Djibouti. The first patient developed lesions of Kaposi’s sarcoma and the second one presented with pulmonary tuberculosis. Both patients died with severe immunodepression. In poor resource-areas where HIV testing may not be available it is important to bear in mind that severe immunodepression and a clinical presentation compatible with AIDS do not necessary carry the diagnosis of AIDS.

Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Lymphopenia, Kaposi’s sarcoma, tuberculosis, Djibouti.


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eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905