Idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia with giant cell arteritis and pulmonary mucormycosis

• Published in: Medical mycology case reports Vol. 6; no. C; pp. 73 - 75
• Main Authors: Denu, Ryan A, Rush, Patrick S, Ahrens, Sarah E, Westergaard, Ryan P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier 01-10-2014
• Subjects: Giant cell arteritis; Idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia; Mucormycosis; Idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia; Mucormycosis; Giant cell arteritis
• ISSN: 2211-7539; 2211-7539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2014.10.002

Idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia (ICL) is characterized by a low CD4+ lymphocyte count in the absence of HIV or other underlying etiologies. We report a case of a 57-year old man with ICL and giant cell arteritis (GCA) who developed pulmonary mucormycosis, which, to our knowledge, is the first report of these occurring in a patient with ICL. Abnormally low total lymphocyte or CD4+ cell counts occurring in patients with autoimmune disorders should alert clinicians to the possibility of ICL. Immunosuppressive treatment should be used with caution in this context.