Lymphocytes absent
Overview
(medical condition): Reduced level of circulating T lymphocytes which are involved in the body's immune system. It is not associated with HIV infection or any other detectable immunodeficiency disease.
Symptoms
* Increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections * Increased susceptibility to Cryptococcus infection * Increased susceptibility to atypical mycobacterial infection * Increased susceptibility to Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
Causes
The growing loss of peripheral granulocytes is due to increased splenic sequestration, diseases that destroy peripheral blood cells (viral and bacterial infections), and drugs that act as haptens (carrying antigens that attack blood cells and causing acute idiosyncratic or non-dose-related drug reactions). Infections such as infectious mononucleosis may result in granulocytopenia because of increased utilization of granulocytes.
Treatment
Treatment of lymphocytopenia includes eliminating the cause and managing any underlying disorders. For infants with SCID, therapy may include bone marrow transplantation.