To the Editor: I wish to report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus initially confused with AIDS because of a deficiency of helper/inducer T cells of the T4 epitope, as defined by staining with monoclonal antibody OKT4 (Ortho Diagnostic Systems).A 23-year-old Jamaican black woman presented with a four-month history of a raised reddish-purplish rash in a malar distribution, increasing fatigue, "lumps" in her neck and under her arms, intermittent chills, and a remote history of having been told her white-cell count was low. She reported no weight loss or diarrhea and no heterosexual or homosexual activity, intravenous drug abuse, . . .