In these patients, we were able to quantify and observe a significant increase of serum T-helper CD4+ cells at the time of HIV diagnosis, prior to initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (average 141.8), compared to the time of diagnosis of the leprosy reactional state (average 367.7) (t-test, p = 0.0088). The gene discussed is CD4; the disease is leprosy.