The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Lymphopenia (reduced lymphocyte count) during infections, such as pneumonia, is common and is associated with increased mortality. Little is known about the relationship between lymphocyte count before developing infections and mortality risk. ⋯ Lymphopenia is an independent predictor of mortality in primary care pneumonia. Even low-normal lymphopenia (1-2 × 109 cells/L) is associated with an increase in short- and long-term mortality compared with higher counts.