Lymphopenia

Lymphopenia (also known as lymphocytopenia, hypolymphemia and sublymphemia) is a deficiency of circulating lymphocytes . It may be either primary or secondary.

Terminology

The spelling lymphopaenia is erroneous and should never be used.

Pathology

Etiology

Primary

• primary immunodeficiencies
  • a heterogeneous group of disorders with a large number of genetic mutations 

Secondary

• infections (commonest cause)
  • mycobacteria: predominantly TB
  • viral
    • HIV
    • CMV
    • EBV
    • HBV
    • HTLV-1
    • COVID-19
  • parasites
    • malaria
• malignancy
  • non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
  • myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
• autoimmune
  • Sjogren disease
  • SLE
• drugs
  • steroids
  • chemotherapeutic agents
  • cytotoxics