IDIOPATHIC CD4(-LYMPHOPENIA IN OLDER PERSONS() T)

OBJECTIVE: Survey of the association of idiopathic CD4(+) T cell lymph ocytopenia in older persons with protein energy undernutrition and unu sual infections/colonizations. METHOD: Retrospective chart analysis. R ESULTS: Five subjects aged 61 to 87 years, with unusual organisms and/ or either marasmus or kwashiorkor, were noted to have absolute CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell lymphocytopenia. All were HIV negative. CONCLUSION: T cell lymphocytopenia may not be a uncommon finding in malnourished o lder persons, but additional studies to determine its prevalence need to be undertaken. Its role in disease and impact on therapeutic respon se needs to be further explored.