Idiopathic CD4+ T-Lymphocytopenia

To the Editor: Several articles and an editorial in the February 11 issue of the Journal draw the conclusion that idiopathic CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia is extremely rare1–5. However, transient CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia as a consequence of a low total white-cell count may be relatively common in some subgroups of the population. As part of a study of the heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), we examined CD4 cells in a sample of 255 sexually active women without a history of intravenous drug use. The subjects were drawn from hospital clinics and from an area of New York (Kings County) . . .