CD4 T-lymphocytopenia without opportunistic infections In HIV-seronegative Ethiopian immigrants to Israel

Abstract

About 15000 Jews were airlifted from Ethiopia to Israel in early 1991. There was a 1.74% prevalence of HIV infection in the population with all being infected in the year prior to arrival in Israel while residing in transit camps near Addis Ababa. CD4 T-cells were first counted in May-September 1991 soon after the immigrants arrived. Despite their recent infection with HIV and the presence of HIV-related symptoms in less than 10% of infected subjects CD4 counts were low in a high proportion of infected individuals. First assessment median CD4 counts were 391/microliter with 31% having 300/microliter or less. All subjects were well-nourished and in good physical condition; CD3 counts were normal; and CD8 counts were increased. These findings led to an assessment of the prevalence of CD4 T-lymphocytopenia in HIV-seronegative healthy Egyptian immigrants who arrived in Israel in the same immigration wave. 100 age- and sex-matched subjects were tested for CD3 CD4 and CD8 T-cell subpopulations and for response to the T-cell mitogens Con-A and PHA. Low CD4 counts were also found among recent arrivals who were HIV-seronegative and without immunosuppressive therapy or other known causes of immunosuppression. 10% of the population carried the hepatitis B virus 90% had intestinal parasites and 48% had sexually transmitted diseases. It is not known whether these conditions are responsible for the low CD4 counts. Although a Zimbabwean study found normal counts of CD4 T-cells among HIV-v seronegative individuals little clear data exist on CD4 counts among African Blacks.