Abstract | BACKGROUND: There have been several reports of HIV-negative patients with chronic idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia, the diagnostic criteria for which are: depressed numbers of circulating T lymphocytes (less than 300/ micro l or less than 20%) on more than one occasion; no laboratory evidence of HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection; and the absence of any defined immunodeficiency or therapy associated with depressed levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes. METHODS: We report a patient with disseminated human papillomavirus infection associated with idiopathic CD4+ T-cell lymphocytopenia. A 50-year-old woman presented to the dermatology clinic with a 10-year history of widespread verrucae involving the skin and the cervix. RESULTS: Biopsy from the arm revealed a common wart. PCR analysis performed from the paraffin-embedded block was strongly positive for HPV type 2. Other HPV types (including EV-associated HPV 5, 8, 14, 15, 17) were not found. Further laboratory work up revealed T-cell lymphocytopenia, with an absolute CD4 count of 21. HIV tests were repeatedly negative. She was treated with interferon A 8 million units SQ three times per week with partial improvement. The patient underwent a hysterectomy for cervical dysplasia and a vulvectomy for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. She developed small-cell lung carcinoma and died. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of idiopathic CD4+ T-cell lymphocytopenia should be considered in any patient with widespread viral, fungal, or mycobacterial infection whose HIV test is negative, and appropriate evaluation of the absolute CD4+ counts should be performed.
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Authors | Cloyce L Stetson, Ronald P Rapini, Stephen K Tyring, Robert C Kimbrough |
Journal | Journal of cutaneous pathology
(J Cutan Pathol)
Vol. 29
Issue 8
Pg. 502-5
(Sep 2002)
ISSN: 0303-6987 [Print] United States |
PMID | 12207745
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Carcinoma, Small Cell
(complications)
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis
(pathology)
- Female
- Humans
- Interferon-alpha
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Lung Neoplasms
(complications)
- Middle Aged
- Papillomaviridae
(isolation & purification)
- Papillomavirus Infections
(complications, drug therapy, pathology)
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Skin
(pathology, virology)
- T-Lymphocytopenia, Idiopathic CD4-Positive
(complications)
- Tumor Virus Infections
(complications, drug therapy, pathology)
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