CVID and IgA

Question 1

Recurrent infections and variables affecting normal/abnormal

Answer 1

Age of onset, too many, too severe, long lasting, unusual complications, fail to resolve with standard tx

Question 2

When do you suspect immunodeficiency?

Answer 2

family hx
failure to thrive
need for many courses of Abx or IV Abx
recurrent infections
resistant organisms
complications from live viral vaccination

Question 3

What are the recurrent infections and resistant organisms that might tip off immunodeficiency?

Answer 3

4+otitis in 1 year (depending on the age)
3+ sinusitis in 1 year
2+ pneumonias in 1 decade
2+ sepsis or meningitis

Resistant: candidiasis, abscesses, opportunistic organism, non-healing wounds

Question 4

What symptoms indicate immunodeficiency?

Answer 4

• chronic diarrhea
• persistent lymphopenia
• unexplained autoimmunity
• hypocalcemia
• congenital heart defects
• Absence of thymic shadow on CXR
• Delayed umbilical cord detachment (30days)

Question 5

Primary immunodeficiency most commonly affects what part of the immune system?

Answer 5

Humoral immunity (B cells)

Question 6

Which is more common? Primary or Secondary Immunodeficiency?

Answer 6

Secondary more common (T cell immunity)