Primary immunodeficiencies

Primary immunodeficiencies

Primary immunodeficiencies

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Primary Immunodeficiencies - The Body's Defense Gaps

  • B-cell: X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia (Bruton): ↓ Ig of all classes. Defect in BTK.
  • T-cell: DiGeorge Syndrome: 22q11 deletion. Thymic aplasia. ↓ T-cells.
  • Combined: SCID: Defective T-cells; B-cell dysfunction is secondary. Multiple gene defects (e.g., IL-2R gamma chain, ADA).
  • Phagocytic: Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD): Defect in NADPH oxidase.

⭐ Absent thymic shadow on newborn chest X-ray is a classic sign of SCID.

B-Cell Blues - Antibody Production Problems

  • X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia (Bruton's):
    • BTK gene defect → no B-cell maturation.
    • Recurrent encapsulated bacterial infections after 6 months.
    • Labs: ↓ all Igs, absent CD19+ B cells.
    • Anatomy: Scanty tonsils/lymph nodes.
  • Selective IgA Deficiency:
    • Most common primary immunodeficiency; isolated ↓ IgA.
    • Mostly asymptomatic; may have sinopulmonary/GI infections, atopy.
    • ⚠️ Anaphylaxis risk with blood products.
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID):
    • Defective B-cell differentiation; late onset (20s-40s).
    • Labs: ↓ plasma cells, ↓ IgG & ↓ IgA/IgM.
    • ↑ risk of autoimmune disease & lymphoma.

⭐ Patients with Selective IgA Deficiency can develop severe anaphylaxis when transfused with blood containing IgA, as their immune system recognizes it as foreign.

T-Cell Troubles - Cellular Immunity Collapse

  • Thymic Aplasia (DiGeorge Syndrome)

    • 22q11.2 deletion → failed 3rd/4th pharyngeal pouch development.
    • 📌 CATCH-22: Cardiac defects, Abnormal facies, Thymic hypoplasia, Cleft palate, Hypocalcemia.
    • Labs: ↓ T-cells, ↓ PTH, ↓ Ca²⁺. Absent thymic shadow on CXR.
  • IL-12 Receptor Deficiency

    • ↓ Th1 response → disseminated mycobacterial & fungal infections; ↓ IFN-γ.
  • Hyper-IgE Syndrome (Job Syndrome)

    • STAT3 mutation → impaired Th17 cells.
    • 📌 FATED: coarse Facies, cold staph Abscesses, retained primary Teeth, ↑ IgE, Dermatologic (eczema).

⭐ Patients with DiGeorge syndrome often present with congenital heart defects like Tetralogy of Fallot or truncus arteriosus.

Combined Chaos - When B & T Cells Fail

  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

    • Most severe form; multiple genetic defects (e.g., IL-2R gamma chain, ADA deficiency).
    • Presents with failure to thrive, chronic diarrhea, and severe recurrent infections.
    • Key finding: Absent thymic shadow on chest X-ray. Chest X-ray: Absent Thymic Shadow in SCID
  • Ataxia-Telangiectasia

    • Defect in ATM gene; failure to repair DNA double-strand breaks.
    • Triad: Ataxia, Angiomas (telangiectasias), IgA deficiency.
    • Lab finding: ↑ alpha-fetoprotein.
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS)

    • X-linked recessive; defect in WASp gene.
    • 📌 WATER mnemonic: Wiskott-Aldrich: Thrombocytopenia, Eczema, Recurrent infections.

⭐ In Ataxia-Telangiectasia, the DNA repair defect leads to an increased risk of lymphoma and leukemia.

Phagocyte Phails - Cleanup Crew on Strike

  • Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD): Defect in NADPH oxidase → impaired respiratory burst.
    • Recurrent infections by catalase-positive organisms (e.g., S. aureus, Aspergillus).
    • Diagnosis: ↓ Dihydrorhodamine (DHR) flow cytometry test.
  • Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (LAD-1): Defective CD18 (LFA-1 integrin) → impaired leukocyte adhesion & migration.
    • Presents with delayed umbilical cord separation, recurrent skin infections without pus.
  • Chédiak-Higashi Syndrome: LYST gene defect → impaired phagosome-lysosome fusion.
    • Features: Recurrent pyogenic infections, partial albinism, peripheral neuropathy.

⭐ In Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (LAD), infections are notably non-purulent (lack pus) because neutrophils can't extravasate to the site of inflammation.

Neutrophil defects in primary immunodeficiencies

  • X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) features a BTK gene defect, leading to no B-cell maturation and recurrent bacterial infections after 6 months.
  • DiGeorge syndrome (22q11.2 deletion) causes T-cell deficiency from thymic aplasia, plus hypocalcemia and cardiac defects.
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) shows absent T and B-cell function, requiring an urgent bone marrow transplant.
  • Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is an X-linked disorder with a triad of thrombocytopenia, eczema, and recurrent infections.
  • IgA deficiency is the most common PID, often asymptomatic but with a risk of anaphylaxis to blood products.

Practice Questions: Primary immunodeficiencies

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 6-year-old child presents for evaluation of a medical condition associated with recurrent infections. After reviewing all of the medical history, gene therapy is offered to treat a deficiency in adenosine deaminase (ADA). ADA deficiency is the most common autosomal recessive mutation in which of the following diseases?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Primary immunodeficiencies

1/6

Which classes of immunoglobulin are normal or decreased in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome? _____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Which classes of immunoglobulin are normal or decreased in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome? _____

IgG and IgM

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