Immunodeficiency disorders

Immunodeficiency disorders

Immunodeficiency disorders

On this page

B-Cell Deficiencies - Antibody Factory Shutdown

  • X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia (Bruton):
    • Defect in BTK gene → no B-cell maturation.
    • Presents after 6 months as maternal IgG wanes.
    • Recurrent bacterial infections (encapsulated), especially sinopulmonary & GI.
  • Selective IgA Deficiency:
    • Most common primary immunodeficiency.
    • Usually asymptomatic; may have recurrent sinopulmonary/GI infections.

    ⭐ Risk of anaphylaxis during blood transfusion due to anti-IgA antibodies.

  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID):
    • Defective B-cell differentiation, presents 20-40 years old.
    • ↓ Plasma cells, ↓ immunoglobulins.
    • Increased risk of autoimmune disease & lymphoma.

B-cell development pathway with immunodeficiency defects

T-Cell Deficiencies - General Under Attack

  • Presentation: Recurrent infections with intracellular pathogens (viruses, fungi, protozoa), particularly opportunistic ones.
  • Key Pathogens: Candida, Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJP), CMV, EBV, JC virus, VZV.
  • Lab Findings: ↓ T-cell count (lymphopenia), ↓ CD4+ or CD8+ cells. Absent/reduced thymic shadow on CXR in some syndromes.
  • ⚠️ Warning: Avoid all live vaccines (MMR, varicella, rotavirus, intranasal influenza).
  • Examples: DiGeorge Syndrome, IL-12R Deficiency, Job Syndrome, Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis.

⭐ T-cell defects primarily impair immunity against intracellular microbes and increase risk for malignancy due to poor tumor surveillance.

Combined B & T-Cell - Total System Failure

  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
    • Most common: IL-2R gamma chain defect (X-linked).
    • Also: Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency (AR).
    • Presents with failure to thrive, chronic diarrhea, thrush, and recurrent severe infections (viral, fungal, protozoal).
    • Lab findings: Absent T-cells, no thymic shadow on CXR.
  • Ataxia-Telangiectasia
    • Defect in the ATM gene, which repairs DNA double-strand breaks.
    • 📌 Triad: cerebellar defects (Ataxia), spider Angiomas (telangiectasias), IgA deficiency.
    • Labs: ↑ AFP.
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (XLR)
    • 📌 WATER: Wiskott-Aldrich, Thrombocytopenia, Eczema, Recurrent infections.

⭐ In SCID, the absence of a thymic shadow on a newborn chest X-ray is a classic diagnostic clue, indicating a lack of T-cell development.

Chest X-ray: Absent Thymic Shadow in SCID Newborn

Phagocyte & Complement - Cleanup Crew Chaos

  • Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (LAD-1)

    • Defect in LFA-1 integrin (CD18 subunit).
    • Features: Delayed separation of umbilical cord (>30 days), recurrent skin/mucosal infections without pus, marked neutrophilia.
  • Chédiak-Higashi Syndrome

    • Mutation in LYST gene; impaired phagolysosome fusion.
    • Features: Giant granules in granulocytes, partial albinism, progressive neurodegeneration, recurrent pyogenic infections.
  • Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD)

    • Defective NADPH oxidase; ↓ respiratory burst.
    • Recurrent infections with catalase-positive organisms (S. aureus, Aspergillus).
    • Dx: Abnormal dihydrorhodamine (DHR) test.

Phagocyte function and respiratory burst in immunity

Terminal Complement Deficiency (C5-C9) Patients present with recurrent infections by encapsulated bacteria, especially Neisseria spp. (gonorrhea or meningitis).

  • X-linked agammaglobulinemia: BTK gene defect. No B-cells. Recurrent bacterial infections after 6 months.
  • CVID: Low immunoglobulins in adults. High risk of autoimmune disease & lymphoma.
  • DiGeorge Syndrome: 22q11 deletion. T-cell deficiency (no thymus), hypocalcemia, cardiac defects.
  • SCID: Defective T and B cells. Severe recurrent infections. Requires stem cell transplant.
  • Wiskott-Aldrich: X-linked triad: Thrombocytopenia, Infections, Eczema (TIE).
  • Ataxia-Telangiectasia: ATM gene defect. Triad: Ataxia, Telangiectasias, IgA deficiency.

Practice Questions: Immunodeficiency disorders

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 40-day-old child presents to a physician for the first time for a well-child visit. The mother is a 22-year-old college student who opted for a home birth. Upon examination, the child weighs 4.0 kg (8.8 lbs) and has intact reflexes. The umbilical cord is still attached and looks erythematous and indurated. A complete blood cell count reveals leukocytosis. Immunoglobulin levels are normal. A flow cytometry analysis is performed. Which of the following markers will most likely be deficient in this child?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Immunodeficiency disorders

1/10

What chromosomal deletion is associated with DiGeorge syndrome? _____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

What chromosomal deletion is associated with DiGeorge syndrome? _____

22q11 microdeletion

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial