During an outbreak of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), we studied
the correlation between CD4 counts and PCP (group 1, n = 10) or other
infectious pneumonia (group 2, n = 9) occuring after renal transplant
ation in 42 patients, CD4 were counted every month post grafting and a
t the time of infection. CD4 counts were < 200 cells/mm3 at the time o
f PCP and during the preceding 30 days in all group 41 patients. Group
1 and group 2 patients had significantly lower counts than all other
transplant patients (group 3) : 101 +/- 102/mm3 respectively vs 207 +/
- 134/mm3, p < 0.01. During the high risk period for pneumonia in our
series group 1 : 80 +/- 15 days. CD4 counts can be useful for predicti
ng the development of PCP after renal transplantation.