Idiopathic CD4+ T-lymphocyte deficiency: the clinical evolution of a case
Galiè, M.; Cassone, M.; Ausiello, C.; Serra, P.
Annali Italiani di Medicina Interna Organo Ufficiale Della Societa Italiana di Medicina Interna 12(4): 233-237
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0393-9340 PMID: 9773579 Document Number: 470993
The case of a patient with Salmonella arizonae sepsis, esophageal candidiasis, and a low CD4+ T lymphocyte count is presented. Follow-up continued for over 2 years after the patient was discharged from the hospital, and his clinical course and clinical-immunological examinations are described. After a period of several years during which the patient had recurrent acute infectious episodes, he improved markedly after cholecystectomy and toilette of the gingival inlets for severe parodontopathy. His CD4+ T cell count increased although it remained below normal values. This case points to possible hypothesis that chronic infective foci may further compromise the immune system when a congenital functional or numerical CD4+ T cell deficit is present.