Profile of CD4⁺ T-Lymphocyte Counts in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern, and the host immune response plays an important role in controlling Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. CD4⁺ T lymphocytes are essential components of cellular immunity; however, their counts may vary among patients with pulmonary TB. This study aimed to describe CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte counts among patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary TB in Kupang City, Indonesia. A descriptive observational design was conducted involving 15 patients recruited using purposive sampling from Bakunase, Oesapa, and Sikumana Community Health Centers. Venous blood samples collected in EDTA tubes were examined using flow cytometry with a BD FACSCalibur instrument at Prodia Laboratory, Kupang. CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte counts were classified according to the laboratory reference interval of 404–1,612 cells/µL. Data were analyzed descriptively and presented as frequencies and percentages. The results showed that 12 participants (80.0%) had CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte counts within the normal reference range, while 3 participants (20.0%) had low counts. Variations in CD4⁺ count distribution were also observed according to sex, age group, and treatment duration; however, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size. In conclusion, most newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients had normal CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte counts. These findings provide preliminary descriptive information on cellular immune status and highlight the need for further studies involving larger populations and longitudinal measurements during TB treatment.