Exam 2: Immunodeficiencies Flashcards
Primary Immunodeficiencies
Results from intrinsic defects in cells and/or organs of the immune system.
Generally due to genetic defects
Children to Adult ratio 3:2
Male to female ratio 5:1
Secondary Immunodeficiencies
Results from extrinsic factors such as malnourishment, disease, malignancy, medical treatment, or environmental exposure.
The more common type of immunodeficiency.
Recurrent Infections
with
Encapsulated Extracellular Bacteria
-
Suggestive of deficiency in:
- Ab / B-cells
- Complement
- Phagocytic cells
-
Examples:
- Superficial skin infections
- Ear infections
- Septicemia
- Some are also susceptible to certain viruses and intestinal parasites
Recurrent Infections
with
Intracellular Pathogens
Suggestive of T-cell deficiencies.
Typically suffer from infections with microorganisms that normal individuals rapidly develop resistance against.
Examples:
Viruses, Mycobacteria, Fungal, Protozoa, Candida, Pneumocystis
B-cell Immunity
Testing
-
Quantification
-
B-cells
- Flow cytometry
- CD19+
- CD20+
- CD21+
- Flow cytometry
-
Ig levels (total, classes, and subclasses)
- ELISA
- RIA
- Radial immunodiffusion
-
B-cells
-
Function
- Immunize patient with protein or carbodydrate antigen
- Measure Ab levels 2-4 weeks later
- Compare titers of different Ig classes
T-cell Immunity
Testing
-
Quantification
- Flow cytometry
- CD3+ ⇒ all mature T-cells in peripheral blood
- CD4+ ⇒ helper T-cells
- CD8+ ⇒ cytotoxic T-cells
- CD25+ (α-subunit of IL-2R) ⇒ activated T-cells
- Flow cytometry
-
Function
-
In vivo
- DTH testing using panel of Ag which patient has been immunized to in the past
- Positive type IV hypersensitivity reaction at site of injection 48-72 hours later suggestive of proper function
-
In vitro
- Mitogen or specific antigen-induced proliferation
- Mixed lymphocyte reaction
-
In vivo
μ-defect
Agammaglobulinemia
- Defect in μ heavy chain gene
- Inability to mature from pro-B cell to pre-B cell
- See complete absence B-cells and Ab
X-linked Aggamaglobulinemia
(XLA)
-
Defect in Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk)
- X-linked
- Inability to differentiate from pre-B cell into immature B cell
- See complete absence of B-cells and Ab
-
High frequency of:
- Upper and lower respiratory tract infections
- Bacterial meningitis
- Septicemia
-
Treat with IV-Ig & abx prophylaxis
- Males usually die by 4th decade due to obstructive lung disease secondary to recurrent URIs
Hyper IgM Syndrome
(HIGM)
-
Mutation or deletion of the CD40-ligand gene
- Defect in T-cells
- Most forms X-linked, some rare AR types
-
Inability to induce isotype switching
- Effect exhibited in B-cells
- See elevated (10x) levels of IgM in adults
- [IgM] can appear normal in children
- Treat with pure IV-IgG without IgA to prevent type III hypersensitivities & prophylatic abx
Transient Hypogammaglobulinemia of Infancy
- Onset of normal IgG synthesis delayed as much as 36 months
- Infant initally protected by materal IgG
- Delay of endogenous Ig synthesis makes them every susceptible to infections
- Treat with supplemental IV-IG until issue resolves
Selective IgA Deficiency
-
See dramatically decreased levels of IgA
- Normal levels of IgM and IgG
- Normal B-cell and plasma cell numbers
- Unknown etiology
- Represents a hole in Ig repertoire
- Most common primary immunodeficiency in the USA
- See increased sinopulmonary infections
- DO NOT have significantly increased susceptibility to recurrent infections
- Make anti-IgA antibodies → can see anaphylaxis following plasma transfusion
IgG Subclass Deficiencies
- Abnormalities in one or more subclasses of IgG
- Normal B cell and plasma cell numbers
- Varied immune defects based on effected class
- Can go undetected
- May see absent IgG levels in infant d/t failure of placental transfer
Common Variable Immunodeficiency
(CVID)
- Heterlogous group of disorders with reduced serum Ig levels
- Peripheral T-cell and B-cell levels normal
- Develops during second or later decade
- Cause unknown
DiGeorge Syndrome
(Congenital Thymic Aplasia)
- Small, absent, or “misplaced” thymus
- Low or absent T-cell population and function
- Increased susceptibility to intracellular pathogens which generally improves with age
- Likely due to extrathymic T-cell maturation
- B-cell function variable
- Serum IgG levels often normal
- Also see:
- Congenital heart disease
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Abnormal facial structures
Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
- Severe, chronic superficial infections with Candida albicans
- Likely due to a selective defect in T-cell function
- Other T & B cell mediated defenses appear normal