Idiopathic CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia in HIV seronegative men with hemophilia and sex partners of HIV seropositive men. Multicenter Hemophilia Cohort Study

Am J Hematol. 1995 Jul;49(3):201-6. doi: 10.1002/ajh.2830490305.

Abstract

Persons with hemophilia or other HIV-1 risk factors may be more likely to have idiopathic CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia (ICL). We determined the frequency of ICL in prospectively followed cohorts of HIV-1 seronegative hemophilic men and seronegative female sex partners of HIV-1 infected hemophilic men, and examined factors potentially associated with ICL. Seven of 304 (2.3%) seronegative hemophilic men and one of 160 (0.6%) female partners met the ICL definition, but the condition resolved for two of the men and for the sole female partner. All five men with persistent ICL had lymphocytopenia (< 1,200 total lymphocytes/microliters) and < 300 total CD4+ lymphocytes/microliters; only one had a low CD4+ percentage. On the most recent measurement, 14.5% of the 304 seronegative hemophilic men had lymphocytopenia. Compared with matched hemophilic controls, men with persistent ICL more often had a history of liver disease (3/5 cases, 0/21 controls, P = 0.007) or splenomegaly (3/5 cases, 4/21 controls; P = 0.04), but not severe hemophilia, greater clotting factor concentrate exposure, high alanine aminotransferase levels, hepatitis B virus antigenemia, or detectable hepatitis C virus RNA in plasma. All five cases and 20/21 controls had antibodies to hepatitis C virus present in their serum. In this cohort of hemophilic men, ICL was related to lymphocytopenia associated with liver disease rather than selective loss of CD4+ lymphocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications
  • Adult
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Seronegativity
  • HIV Seropositivity*
  • Hemophilia A / complications*
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / complications
  • Lymphopenia / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Splenomegaly

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies