Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Natural History of Idiopathic CD4+ Lymphocytopenia

June 4, 2026 updated by: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Background:

  • Idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a condition in which there is a decreased level of CD4+ lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell), which can lead to opportunistic infections or autoimmune disorders and diseases.

Objectives:

  • To characterize the natural history with regard to CD4+ T cell count and onset of infection, malignancy, and autoimmunity.
  • To describe the immunological status of patients affected by ICL while providing the best possible standard therapy to eradicate opportunistic infections.
  • To establish the timeline of CD4 lymphocytopenia, with particular focus on defining subgroups of patients according to the decline, stabilization, or rise of CD4+ T cell counts over time.
  • To characterize the opportunistic infections that occur in ICL patients at microbiologic and molecular levels.
  • To characterize the immunophenotype and possible genetic immunodeficiency causes of ICL.
  • To determine whether measurable immunologic parameters correlate with the development of opportunistic infections or other comorbidities such as lymphoma in patients with ICL.
  • To determine whether there is any association between ICL and autoimmunity.
  • To determine CD4+ T cell turnover, survival, functionality, and cytokine responsiveness in ICL patients.

Eligibility:

  • Patients 2 years of age and older with an absolute CD4 count less than 300 in children 6 years or older and adults or less than 20% of T cells in children younger than 6 on two occasions at least 6 weeks apart.
  • Patients with negative results of HIV testing by ELISA, Western Blot, and viral load.
  • Patients must not have underlying immunodeficiency conditions, be receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs that kill cells), or have cancer.

Design:

  • At the initial visit to the National Institutes of Health, the following evaluations will be conducted:
  • Personal and family medical histories.
  • Physical examination, including rheumatology evaluation and other consultations as medically indicated (e.g., dermatology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, imaging studies).
  • Blood samples for analysis of red and white blood cell counts, liver function, immune hormones, and antibody and autoantibody levels, white blood cell growth and function, and DNA.
  • Urinalysis and urine pregnancy testing for female patients of childbearing age.
  • Evaluation and treatment of active infections as medically indicated, including biopsies, buccal swabs, pulmonary function tests, and imaging studies.
  • Follow-up visits will take place approximately every 12 months or more frequently if indicated, and will continue for a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 10 years.
  • Evaluations at follow-up will include blood samples (i.e., CBC with differential, biochemical profile, HIV testing, etc.) and urinalysis and rheumatology consults.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

Idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a disorder characterized by decreased numbers of circulating CD4+ T lymphocytes in the absence of known causes of CD4+ lymphocytopenia. ICL is defined as an absolute CD4+ T cell count of less than 300 cells/microL in a patient with no human immunodeficiency virus infection or known immunodeficiency syndrome. The causes and frequency of the disorder remain unknown. The condition is typically diagnosed when patients present with a serious infection. In this natural history protocol, we will evaluate patients with CD4+ T cell counts below 300 cells/microL. We propose to follow 300 ICL patients for a minimum of 4 and maximum of 20 years, with a particular focus on the association between ICL and autoimmune disease. In addition to the ICL patients, we will enroll blood relatives and household contacts to better understand pathogenesis and etiologies of the syndrome. We will collect blood and other tissues for immunologic, rheumatologic, and genetic testing in an effort to identify and understand the underlying defects that cause ICL and follow its course in a cohort of patients who will receive best standard therapy for opportunistic infections.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

950

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Maryland
      • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
        • Recruiting
        • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults with idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia (ICL) who have CD4 <300/microliters or < 20% of total T cells and their blood relatives and household contacts.

Description

  • ICL PARTICPANT INCLUSION CRITERIA:

To be eligible for this study, patients must satisfy all of the following inclusion criteria:

  1. Age greater than or equal to 18 years
  2. Absolute CD4 count < 300 cells/microL or < 20% of total T cells on at least two occasions at least 6 weeks apart
  3. Ongoing care by a referring primary care physician
  4. Willingness to allow storage of blood and tissue samples for future analysis

ICL PARTICPANT EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients will be ineligible for this study if they satisfy any of the following criteria:

  1. Known infection with HIV-1, HIV-2, or human T-cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV-1 or HTLV-2) as demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot and/or viral load testing
  2. Known underlying immunodeficiency syndrome other than ICL
  3. Evidence of active malignancy
  4. Receipt of medications, herbal substances, or biologic agents known to diminish the CD4+ count within 30 days of when the CD4+ lymphocytopenia was detected
  5. Any condition that in the judgment of the investigators would place the subject at undue risk or compromise the results of the study.

BLOOD RELATIVE INCLUSION CRITERIA:

To be eligible for study participation as a blood relative, subjects must be greater than or equal to 18 years of age and be a blood relative of an individual who meets or has met the CDC criteria for ICL.

HOUSEHOLD CONTACT INCLUSION CRITERIA:

To be eligible for study participation as a household contact, subjects must be greater than or equal to18 years of age and live within the same household as an ICL subjects participating in this protocol. Blood relatives who are household contacts are eligible to participate.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Blood Relatives
Blood Relatives of ICL subjects
Household Contacts
Household contacts of ICL subjects
ICL Subjects
Patients with confirmed idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
CD4 <300/microliters or < 20% of total T cells and their blood
Time Frame: Baseline and annually
To further characterize the natural history of ICL while also investigating the genetic, environmental, and immunologic features of the condition.
Baseline and annually

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Determine CD4+ T cell turnover, survival, functionality and cytokineresponsiveness in selected ICL patients.
Time Frame: Baseline and annually
Collection of research blood (PBL, serum and plasma) for storage
Baseline and annually
Investigate ICL immune cell homeostasis and trafficking by immunologic studies including tissue biopsies and the utilization of ahumanized mouse model.
Time Frame: Baseline and annually
Collection of research blood (PBL, serum and plasma) for storage
Baseline and annually
Establish the prognosis of CD4 lymphocytopenia, with particular focus on defining subgroups of patients according to the decline, stabilization, or rise of CD4+T cell counts over time.
Time Frame: Baseline and annually
Collection of research blood (PBL, serum and plasma) for storage
Baseline and annually
Determine whether measurable immunologic parameters correlate with the development of opportunistic infections or other co-morbidities
Time Frame: Baseline and annually
Determine whether measurable immunologic parameters correlate with the development of opportunistic infections or other co-morbidities such as lymphoma in patients with ICL. Investigate the associations between idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia and autoimmunity.Collection of research blood (PBL, serum and plasma) for storage
Baseline and annually
Determine the relationship between ICL and the microbiome.
Time Frame: Baseline and annually
Collection of rectal swab and dietary questionnaire
Baseline and annually

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Irini Sereti, M.D., National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

July 13, 2009

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 20, 2009

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 20, 2009

First Posted (Estimated)

March 23, 2009

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 5, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 4, 2026

Last Verified

January 8, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 090102
  • 09-I-0102

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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