Performance evaluation of the digital morphology analyser Sysmex DI-60 for white blood cell differentials in abnormal samples.

Sysmex DI-60 enumerates and classifies leukocytes. Limited research has evaluated the performance of Sysmex DI-60 in abnormal samples, and most focused on leukopenic samples. We evaluate the efficacy of DI-60 in determining white blood cell (WBC) differentials in normal and abnormal samples in different WBC count. Peripheral blood smears (n = 166) were categorised into normal control and disease groups, and further divided into moderate and severe leucocytosis, mild leucocytosis, normal, mild leukopenia, and moderate and severe leukopenia groups based on WBC count. DI-60 preclassification and verification and manual counting results were assessed using Bland-Altman and Passing-Bablok regression analyses. The Kappa test compared the concordance in the abnormal cell detection between DI-60 and manual counting. DI-60 exhibited notable overall sensitivity and specificity for all cells, except basophils. The correlation between the DI-60 preclassification and manual counting was high for segmented neutrophils, band neutrophils, lymphocytes, and blasts, and improved for all cell classes after verification. The mean difference between DI-60 and manual counting for all cell classes was significantly high in moderate and severe leucocytosis (WBC > 30.0 × 109/L) and moderate and severe leukopenia (WBC < 1.5 × 109/L) groups. For blast cells, immature granulocytes, and atypical lymphocytes, the DI-60 verification results were similar to the manual counting results. Plasma cells showed poor agreement. In conclusion, DI-60 demonstrates consistent and reliable analysis of WBC differentials within the range of 1.5-30.0 × 109. Manual counting was indispensable in examining moderate and severe leucocytosis samples, moderate and severe leukopenia samples, and in enumerating of monocytes and plasma cells.

Presumed pseudo-Pelger-Huët anomaly and basophilia secondary to chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a dog.

A 10-year-old neutered male Maltese dog was presented for an investigation of lymphocytosis. The dog was up-to-date on vaccinations and deworming. Physical examination did not reveal any significant abnormalities. A complete blood cell count (CBC) showed mild leukocytosis with moderate lymphocytosis, basophilia, and moderate neutropenia, but no significant left shift or toxic change. Serum biochemistry and urinalysis were unremarkable. All performed tests for infectious agents common in this geographical region were negative. No significant abnormalities were found on abdominal ultrasound examination. Multiparametric flow cytometry of peripheral blood showed a CD8+ T-cell lymphocytosis, and PCR for antigen receptor rearrangement revealed a clonal expansion of the T-cell receptor gamma chain genes. A clinical diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was made, and follow-up was recommended. On Day 48 post-presentation, the CBC showed mild non-regenerative anemia (NRA), moderate leucocytosis due to moderate to marked lymphocytosis, basophilia, and a marked increase in hyposegmented neutrophils with mild toxic change in the absence of neutrophilia or neutropenia. Treatment with chlorambucil and prednisolone was initiated. On Days 87 and 197 post-presentation, the CBC showed mild NRA, with progressively decreasing numbers of hyposegmented neutrophils. The dog remained without clinical signs. Basophilia and probable pseudo-Pelger-Huët anomaly were possibly secondary to CLL. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of these two hematologic conditions secondary to CLL in dogs. Recognition of a pseudo-Pelger-Huët anomaly is clinically relevant to avoid misinterpretation as a marked left shift due to severe inflammation and prevent unnecessary urgent therapeutic actions.

The effect of the time from diagnosis to induction therapy on prognosis in patients with acute leukemia undergoing leukapheresis for symptomatic hyperleukocytosis.

INTRODUCTION: Our study investigated leukapheresis's effect on delayed induction therapy outcomes in patients with acute leukemia presenting with symptomatic hyperleukocytosis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 30 adult patients diagnosed with acute leukemia who underwent leukapheresis for leukostasis. The patients were divided into the first 24 h and >24 h groups, according to the time from diagnosis to induction therapy (TDT). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the TDT groups regarding complete remission (CR), 4-week mortality, and overall survival (OS) at a median follow-up of 409 days. Tumor lysis syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and hemoglobin levels were significant in early mortality. In univariate analysis, age, hemoglobin levels, patients' eligibility for intensive chemotherapy, and achieving CR were critical factors for OS. CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest that waiting for the clinical and laboratory results may be a safe and reasonable approach before assigning patients the best treatment option with leukapheresis.

Hypercalcemia-leukocytosis syndrome from non-schistosomiasis-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Non-schistosomiasis-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is less common in the Western world. Limited information on its possible paraneoplastic syndromes exists. Leukocytosis tends to commonly be regarded by clinicians as an indication of sepsis, rather than a feature of paraneoplasia, potential surrogate marker for recurrence, and prognostic marker. Accompanying hypercalcemia may be missed entirely. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old Caucasian man presented with visible painless hematuria and symptomatic hypercalcemia. Investigations revealed a squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder with marked leukocytosis. Hypercalcemia and leukocytosis resolved following radical cystectomy, recurred with nodal recurrence and regressed with radiotherapeutic control. Subsequently, serum leukocyte and calcium assays were included in his follow-up protocol. His survival was 20 months by the time of the report. CONCLUSION: This report highlights hypercalcemia-leukocytosis syndrome as a paraneoplastic manifestation of non-schistosomiasis-associated squamous cell carcinoma to reemphasize the need for clinicians to assay for calcium in the presence of leukocytosis in such patients. Prompt identification and control of the paraneoplastic derangements, with treatment of the cancer recurrence it may connote, is advocated to provide a chance for better long-term outcomes in these patients.

Malignant solid tumor associated with hypereosinophilic syndrome / Malignus solid tumorhoz társuló hypereosinophil szindróma

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is characterized by chronic eosinophil overproduction, resulting in multiple organ damages due to eosinophil infiltration and mediator release. According to the etiology, we distinguish between myeloproliferative disorders, parasitic infections, solid tumors, T-cell lymphomas and idiopathic forms. In our case report, the 49-year-old man was hospitalized with weight loss, leg edema and tachycardia. In his laboratory tests increased biliary obstructive parameters as well as extreme leukocytosis and eosinophilia had been highlighted. We started our evaluation with a strong suspicion of hematologic malignancy. The CT scan of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis described hepatosplenomegaly, multiple intrahepatic lesions and an uncertain solitary cystic lesion in the tail of the pancreas with abnormal lymph nodes and pleural fluid. The described CT image and the other clinical parameters were primarily consistent with the manifestation of chronic myeloid leukemia. However, the diagnosis was not confirmed by peripheral blood smear, flow cytometry, bone marrow biopsy or genetic tests. After these results, we continued the assessment towards solid tumor associated leukemoid reaction, core biopsy was performed to verify the liver lesions. The biopsy confirmed the infiltration of a poorly differentiated epithelial tumor as a metastasis of pancreatobiliary carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on hypereosinophilic syndrome associated with gastrointestinal solid tumors in the Hungarian medical literature. It draws attention to the differential diagnosis of extreme leukocytosis and eosinophil ratios and by the absence of confirmed hematological disease the importance of early biopsy sampling of solid lesions.

Association of clinical signs of chorioamnionitis with histological chorioamnionitis and neonatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Chorioamnionitis is a risk factor for fetal and neonatal outcomes. Therefore, predicting histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) and neonatal outcomes using clinical parameters could be helpful in management and preventing morbidities. OBJECTIVE: To determine if parameters of clinical chorioamnionitis (CCA) would be associated with HCA and neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: In this cohort study using a retrospective design, we analyzed the performance of signs of CCA in predicting HCA, and neonatal outcomes. Data were extracted from the electronic health record for all neonates with documented CCA delivered at our institution from 2011 to 2016. We compared our findings based on the old ACOG definition of CCA and the new definition released in 2017 - maternal fever plus any of fetal tachycardia, maternal leukocytosis, and purulent vaginal discharge. Maternal tachycardia and uterine tenderness were removed from the new criteria. Neonatal laboratory samples on admission, 12 h and 24 h were used to define the three time points of neonatal suspected sepsis. RESULTS: There were 530 mothers-infant dyads with chorioamnionitis. Seventy-three were preterm, and 457 were term. Eighty-eight percent of the preterm mothers had CCA, and HCA was present in 62.5% of 72 preterm placentas. Preterm infants with placental HCA significantly had lower birth weight, gestational age, placental weight, and more infants with lower 5-minute Apgar scores, compared to those with no HCA. In preterm infants, maternal urinary tract infection was significantly associated with decreased odds for HCA (OR 0.22, CI 0.10 - 0.71). More preterm babies with suspected sepsis criteria at the 3 time points had HCA (all p ≤ .01). In the term cohort, 95.4% and 65.6% had CCA and HCA, respectively. In term infants (n = 457), maternal leukocytosis (p = .002) and prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM; p = 002) were associated with HCA. Suspected sepsis was associated with PROM (p = .04), HCA (p = .0001), and maternal leukocytosis (p ≤ .05) in at least 1 of the 3 time points. CONCLUSION: Though maternal leukocytosis was significantly associated with the presence of HCA in the term cohort, there were no CCA criteria that accurately predicted presence of HCA in either the preterm or the term infants.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis diagnosed by bone marrow trephine biopsy in living post-COVID-19 patients: case report and mini-review.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) constitutes a life-threatening inflammatory syndrome. Postmortem histological findings of bone marrow (BM) from COVID-19 patients showed histiocytosis and hemophagocytosis and supported the hypothesis that secondary HLH (sHLH) may be triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, there are a limited number of sHLH cases in which trephine has been performed in living post-COVID-19 patients. Here we present a recent case and a mini-review of sHLH diagnosed by trephine biopsy in living patients after COVID-19. An 81-year-old man with a past medical history of hypertension, diabetes, ischemic stroke, was referred to the hospital to evaluate leukocytosis, pyuria, and elevation of inflammatory markers four weeks after recovering from COVID-19. Computed tomography of the abdomen did not reveal focal signs of infection or hepatosplenomegaly. The patient received intravenous meropenem and two packed red blood cell units. Leukocytes and C-reactive protein were gradually decreased. A BM biopsy was performed and the patient was discharged on cefixime. BM smear revealed severe anemia, lymphopenia, and dysplastic morphologic findings of erythroblasts, neutrophils, and megakaryocytes. Trephine biopsy revealed hypercellular marrow dyserythropoiesis, plasmacytosis, lymphocytosis, histiocytosis, hemophagocytosis, and the absence of granulomas or carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry documented a mixed population of T lymphocytes (CD3+) and B lymphocytes (CD20+). Strong positivity for CD68 confirmed histiocytosis. CD138 κ, λ staining proved polyclonal plasmacytosis. Perl's staining showed excess hemosiderin deposits. Based on our findings, we document sHLH in trephine BM biopsy of a living post-COVID-19 patient and persistent leukocytosis, underscoring the diagnostic value of trephine biopsy in preventing life-threatening conditions such as COVID-19.

BCR-ABL1 p210 screening for chronic myeloid leukemia in patients with peripheral blood cytoses.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) usually presents with leukocytosis with neutrophilia, left shift, and basophilia. Documentation of the BCR-ABL1 fusion is required for diagnosis, and this is often achieved via p210 BCR-ABL1 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). METHODS: Patients undergoing first-time testing for p210 BCR-ABL1 at our institution were retrospectively identified. The medical record was reviewed, and the patient age, sex, clinical indication for testing, and concurrent CBC with differential were identified for 518 patients. BCR-ABL1 p210 testing had been performed using a laboratory-developed quantitative RT-PCR assay. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using an unpaired t test, and P values of <.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients received a new diagnosis of CML (4.6%). As compared to patients with a negative PCR, these patients were more likely to have a markedly elevated white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophilia, and a mild anemia. Ninety-two percent (22/24) of new CML patients had a WBC ≥20 × 109 /L, and the two new CML patients with WBC <20 × 109 /L had basophilia in the peripheral blood. By contrast, 92% (449/490) of non-CML patients had a WBC <20 × 109 /L. CONCLUSION: The peripheral blood parameters of total WBC ≥20 × 109 /L and absolute basophil count can help guide the need for BCR-ABL1 PCR testing, which can lead to more judicious test utilization, decreased healthcare costs, and decreased false positives, while keeping a high sensitivity for CML. This study also underscores the importance of obtaining a complete differential in patients for whom CML is suspected.

Immunological map in COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a newly discovered coronavirus that exhibits many similarities with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, respectively). The definite pathogenesis and immunological influences of SARS-CoV-2 have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we constructed a brief summary comparison of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV infections regarding their immunological changes. In addition, we further investigated the immunological differences between severe and nonsevere COVID-19 cases, and we searched for possible immunological predictors of the patient outcome by reviewing case series studies to date. Possible immunological predictors of a poor outcome are leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia (both CD4 and CD8 T cells), an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ), regulatory T cell cytokines (IL-10) and Th17 cytokines (IL-17). A more precise immunological map needs to be established, which may assist in diagnosing this disease and facilitate immunological precision medicine treatment.

Intracranial Hemorrhage Associated With T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With Hyperleukocytosis: A Case Report.

Acute leukemia in children may present with hyperleukocytosis. Symptomatic hyperleukocytosis is a medical emergency that necessitates rapid stabilization of the patient and prompt lowering of the leukocyte count. We report on a patient with intracranial hemorrhage associated with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with hyperleukocytosis, which is a rare occurrence. A 16-year-old boy with hyperleukocytosis (total white cell count; 398×103/µL) underwent repeated leukapheresis and received supportive treatment until a definite diagnosis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was made and chemotherapy was started at 10% of the usual dose. On day 2 of treatment, he had headache, vomiting, and was agitated. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral extensive hemispheric and cerebellar punctate areas of hemorrhage and perilesional edema. Chemotherapy intensified to a maximum dose on day 3. If supportive care for tumor lysis syndrome can be promptly provided, initial chemotherapy regimen can immediately be begun at an optimal dose.

Commensal Microbiome Expands Tγδ17 Cells in the Lung and Promotes Particulate Matter-Induced Acute Neutrophilia.

Particulate matter (PM) induces neutrophilic inflammation and deteriorates the prognosis of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and infections, including COVID-19. Here, we addressed the role of γδ T cells and intestinal microbiome in PM-induced acute neutrophilia. γδ T cells are a heterogeneous population composed of Tγδ1, Tγδ2, Tγδ17, and naïve γδ T cells (TγδN) and commensal bacteria promote local expansion of Tγδ17 cells, particularly in the lung and gut without affecting their Vγ repertoire. Tγδ17 cells are more tissue resident than Tγδ1 cells, while TγδN cells are circulating cells. IL-1R expression in Tγδ17 cells is highest in the lung and they outnumber all the other type 17 cells such as Th17, ILC3, NKT17, and MAIT17 cells. Upon PM exposure, IL-1ß-secreting neutrophils and IL-17-producing Tγδ17 cells attract each other around the airways. Accordingly, PM-induced neutrophilia was significantly relieved in γδ T- or IL-17-deficient and germ-free mice. Collectively, these findings show that the commensal microbiome promotes PM-induced neutrophilia in the lung via Tγδ17 cells.

Inherited deficiency of stress granule ZNFX1 in patients with monocytosis and mycobacterial disease.

Human inborn errors of IFN-γ underlie mycobacterial disease, due to insufficient IFN-γ production by lymphoid cells, impaired myeloid cell responses to this cytokine, or both. We report four patients from two unrelated kindreds with intermittent monocytosis and mycobacterial disease, including bacillus Calmette-Guérin-osis and disseminated tuberculosis, and without any known inborn error of IFN-γ. The patients are homozygous for ZNFX1 variants (p.S959* and p.E1606Rfs*10) predicted to be loss of function (pLOF). There are no subjects homozygous for pLOF variants in public databases. ZNFX1 is a conserved and broadly expressed helicase, but its biology remains largely unknown. It is thought to act as a viral double-stranded RNA sensor in mice, but these patients do not suffer from severe viral illnesses. We analyze its subcellular localization upon overexpression in A549 and HeLa cell lines and upon stimulation of THP1 and fibroblastic cell lines. We find that this cytoplasmic protein can be recruited to or even induce stress granules. The endogenous ZNFX1 protein in cell lines of the patient homozygous for the p.E1606Rfs*10 variant is truncated, whereas ZNFX1 expression is abolished in cell lines from the patients with the p.S959* variant. Lymphocyte subsets are present at normal frequencies in these patients and produce IFN-γ normally. The hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells of the patients tested respond normally to IFN-γ. Our results indicate that human ZNFX1 is associated with stress granules and essential for both monocyte homeostasis and protective immunity to mycobacteria.

Leukocytospermia in late adolescents: possible clinical interpretations.

BACKGROUND: No data are currently available on the implication of amicrobial leukocytospermia in male adolescents. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of amicrobial leukocytospermia among non-smoker late adolescents who were exposed to other risky lifestyles for the andrological health. The main andrological clinical features of adolescents with leukocytospermia were also reported. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in 80 boys. Each adolescent underwent a physical examination, and to the assessment of sperm conventional parameters, seminal leukocytes concentration and immature germ cell evaluation. A possible correlation between seminal leukocytes and immature germ cells and testicular volume (TV) was tested. RESULTS: The adolescents enrolled in this study had 18.0 ± 0.4 (range 18.1-18.9) years. Unprotected sexual intercourse was referred by 38% of them. Sexual dysfunctions were found in 25% and isolated hypoactive sexual desire in 12.5% of boys. Low TV and penile length in flaccidity were found in 44% and 30% of them, respectively. Only 41% had normozoospermia at the sperm analysis, whereas 19% had isolated oligozoospermia, 15% oligo-asthenozoospermia, and 25% oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia. Leukocytospermia occurred in 25% (20 out of 80) of adolescents. No seminal infection was detected in 19% (15 out of 80) of them. Adolescents with leukocytospermia had lower progressive sperm motility, percentage of normal forms, TV, and a higher percentage of immature germ cells compared to those without leukocytospermia. Semen leukocyte concentration correlated negatively with TV and positively with the percentage of immature germ cells in the ejaculate. CONCLUSION: Leukocytospermia, increased immature germ cell number, and low TV identify a distinct phenotype suggestive of testicular tubulopathy. Primary prevention of male infertility and the counselling for andrological risky lifestyles is mandatory and should be started as early as possible.

Differential diagnosis and prospective grading of COVID-19 at the early stage with simple hematological and biochemical variables.

We evaluated simple laboratory variables to discriminate COVID-19 from bacterial pneumonia or influenza and for the prospective grading of COVID-19. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve were used to estimate the diagnostic performance of the significant discriminating variables. A comparative analysis was performed with different severity. The leukocytosis (P = 0.017) and eosinopenia (P = 0.001) were discriminating variables between COVID-19 and bacterial pneumonia with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.778 and 0.825. Monocytosis (P = 0.003), the decreased lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (P < 0.001), and the increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (P = 0.028) were predictive of influenza with AUC of 0.723, 0.895, and 0.783, respectively. Serum amyloid protein, lactate dehydrogenase, CD3+ cells, and the fibrinogen degradation products had a good correlation with the severity of COVID-19 graded by age (≥50) and NLR (≥3.13). Simple laboratory variables are helpful for rapid diagnosis on admission and hierarchical management of COVID-19 patients.

Hyperleukocytosis predicts inferior clinical outcome in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia.

OBJECTIVES: Hyperleukocytosis (HL) is a laboratory abnormality commonly presented in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, large cohort studies on the clinical significance of HL in pediatric AML are paucity. Moreover, the effect of stem cell transplantation in HL patients remains unknown. METHODS: The clinical profiles of 885 pediatric patients with AML were downloaded from the TARGET dataset. HL was defined as an initial peripheral WBC count of ≥ 100 ×109/L. We analyzed the prevalence, clinical profile and prognosis of HL in these patients. RESULTS: The frequency of HL among all the pediatric AML was 22.6%. FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3/internal tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD) mutation and gene fusion of NUP98/NSD1 occurred with higher incidence in HL patients. Overall, HL was associated with a low induction complete remission rate, and high risk of induction death. Moreover, HL predicted a significantly inferior 5-year event-free survival (EFS) (P < 0.001) and a trend of inferior 5-year overall survival (OS) (P = 0.059). However, compared with chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation had no significant effect on the survival of HL patients in terms of 5-year leukemia-free survival (P = 0.449) or OS (P = 0.447). Multivariate analysis revealed that HL was an independent prognosis factor for EFS (Hazard ratio:1.352, P = 0.013) but not for OS (Hazard ratio:1.225, P = 0.170) in pediatric AML. CONCLUSION: HL might predict inferior clinical outcome in pediatric AML. SCT is an effective therapy for AML, but it may have no better effect on the survival of patients with HL, compared to chemotherapy.

The Effect of TLR4 Blockade on Some Indicators of Systemic Inflammatory Response to Proteus mirabilis LPS in Rats.

The effects of TLR4 blocker on blood cell morphology, concentrations proinflammatory cytokines, and functional state of the liver and kidneys were studied in outbred male rats (n=60) after intravenous injection of 20 mg/kg LPS isolated from opportunistic Proteus mirabilis strain ATCC 51393. TLR4 blocker TLR4-IN-C34 was injected intravenously in a dose of 1 mg/kg/day over 3 days. Systemic inflammatory reaction induced by LPS was characterized by elevation of serum TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis. Increased activity of hepatocyte enzymes (ALT, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase), retention of nitrogen metabolites (urea and creatinine), elevated content of protein oxidation products, and enhanced protein catabolism were also observed. Administration of TLR4 blocker reduced parameters of inflammatory reaction and prevented the development of hypercatabolic syndrome; endotoxicosis and kidney function indicators approached the normal levels.

Herpes zoster in HIV-1 infection: The role of CSF pleocytosis in secondary CSF escape and discordance.

HIV cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) escape is defined by a concentration of HIV-1 RNA in CSF above the lower limit of quantification of the employed assay and equal to or greater than the plasma HIV-1 RNA level in the presence of treatment-related plasma viral suppression, while CSF discordance is similarly defined by equal or higher CSF than plasma HIV-1 RNA in untreated individuals. During secondary CSF escape or discordance, disproportionate CSF HIV-1 RNA develops in relation to another infection in addition to HIV-1. We performed a retrospective review of people living with HIV receiving clinical care at Sahlgrenska Infectious Diseases Clinic in Gothenburg, Sweden who developed uncomplicated herpes zoster (HZ) and underwent a research lumbar puncture (LP) within the ensuing 150 days. Based on treatment status and the relationship between CSF and plasma HIV-1 RNA concentrations, they were divided into 4 groups: i) antiretroviral treated with CSF escape (N = 4), ii) treated without CSF escape (N = 5), iii) untreated with CSF discordance (N = 8), and iv) untreated without CSF discordance (N = 8). We augmented these with two additional cases of secondary CSF escape related to neuroborreliosis and HSV-2 encephalitis and analyzed these two non-HZ cases for factors contributing to CSF HIV-1 RNA concentrations. HIV-1 CSF escape and discordance were associated with higher CSF white blood cell (WBC) counts than their non-escape (P = 0.0087) and non-discordant (P = 0.0017) counterparts, and the CSF WBC counts correlated with the CSF HIV-1 RNA levels in both the treated (P = 0.0047) and untreated (P = 0.002) group pairs. Moreover, the CSF WBC counts correlated with the CSF:plasma HIV-1 RNA ratios of the entire group of 27 subjects (P = <0.0001) indicating a strong effect of the CSF WBC count on the relation of the CSF to plasma HIV-1 RNA concentrations across the entire sample set. The inflammatory response to HZ and its augmenting effect on CSF HIV-1 RNA was found up to 5 months after the HZ outbreak in the cross-sectional sample and, was present for one year after HZ in one individual followed longitudinally. We suggest that HZ provides a 'model' of secondary CSF escape and discordance. Likely, the inflammatory response to HZ pathology provoked local HIV-1 production by enhanced trafficking or activation of HIV-1-infected CD4+ T lymphocytes. Whereas treatment and other systemic factors determined the plasma HIV-1 RNA concentrations, in this setting the CSF WBC counts established the relation of the CSF HIV-1 RNA levels to this plasma set-point.