Calc Function

    • Calcs that help predict probability of a diseaseDiagnosis
    • Subcategory of 'Diagnosis' designed to be very sensitiveRule Out
    • Disease is diagnosed: prognosticate to guide treatmentPrognosis
    • Numerical inputs and outputsFormula
    • Med treatment and moreTreatment
    • Suggested protocolsAlgorithm

    Disease

    Select...

    Specialty

    Select...

    Chief Complaint

    Select...

    Organ System

    Select...

    Patent Pending

    Log In

    Show
    Forgot your password?
    Log In
    Or create a new account (it's free)

    Forgot Password?

    Enter your email address and we'll send you a link to reset your password.

    Get New Password

    Sign In Required

    To save favorites, you must log in.

    Creating an account is free, easy, and takes about 60 seconds.

    Attention COACH STUDY participants:

    The principal investigators of the study request that you use the official version of the modified score here.

    Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC)

    Assesses number of lymphocytes and predicts CD4 count.
    Favorite
    When to Use
    Pearls/Pitfalls
    Why Use

    • Frequently used in the ED setting because CD4 tests take longer to come back and need patient consent.

    • Used in limited-resource settings where CD4 tests are costly or unavailable.

    • If the ALC is low, the CD4 will usually be low (Shapiro 1998).

    • Currently evidence is mostly around HIV-1 treatment-naive patients.

    • Other viral infections such as influenza or EBV can cause lymphopenia.

    • Does not aid in the diagnosis of HIV.

    Serves as a surrogate for CD4 count in HIV patients who are naive to antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited areas.

    %
    × 10³ cells/µL

    Result:

    Please fill out required fields.

    Next Steps
    Evidence
    Creator Insights

    Advice

    • In the right clinical context, consider undiagnosed HIV as a cause of low lymphocyte count.

    • If available, obtain a CBC with differential and CD4 count for confirmation.

    Critical Actions

    Does not change management, but helps support the suspicion of HIV infection with low CD4.

    Content Contributors
    • Alex Lazo, MD
    About the Creator
    Dr. Nathan Shapiro
    Are you Dr. Nathan Shapiro?
    Also from MDCalc...
    Content Contributors
    • Alex Lazo, MD