Immunodeficiences Flashcards
What is the predominant features of impaired immune fxn?
More severe and persist longer. Frequent recurrences. Not responsive to ordinarily effective Rx
What are some developmental signs of impaired immune fxn?
Decreased Height & Weight. Delayed Developmental skills
How many respiratory tract infections does a healthy child experience per year?
6-8 respiratory tract infections per year through first 10-12 years
How many episodes of otitis and gastroenteritis does a healthy child experience per year?
6 episodes of otitis and 2 episodes of gastroenteritis per year for first 2-3 years
What is x-linked hypogammaglobulinemia (XLA, Bruton’s)?
primary humoral immunodeficiency with severe hypogammaglobulinemia, antibody deficiency, and increased susceptibility to infection
What causes XLA?
a mutation in the gene encoding Bruton tyrosine kinase. usually found in boys, females are carriers
What are the labratory findings of XLA?
absence of B cells, low levels of all immunoglobulins, Normal T cell responses-cell mediated immunity intact
What are the clinical features of XLA?
Symptoms present in infants at about 6 mos of age when maternal antibody is no longer present. Recurrent pyogenic bacterial infections. May have the absence of tonsils and adenoids
May have failure to thrive/growth delay
What is the treatment for XLA?
Replacement of immunoglobulin is the cornerstone of treatment for XLA
What are the different ways you can replace the immunoglobulin in XLA?
intravenous immune globulin G (IGIV or IVIG)
subcutaneous immune globulin G (IGSC or SCIG)
How is the treatment dose for HLA determined?
combination of the patient’s weight, trough levels of IgG after tx has commenced, and the clinical response and condition of the patient
What are treatment goals for XLA?
reduce the number and intensity of infections
What is selective IgA immunoglobulin deficiency?
decreased serum IgA levels with normal serum levels of IgG and IgM and in the absence of any other immune deficiency disorder.
At what age can a diagnosis of IgA immunoglobulin deficiency by considered and why?
should only be made after age 4, since antibody levels in younger children can be depressed in the absence of any immune dysfunction.
What is the most common primary immunodeficiency in adults?
selective IgA immunoglobulin deficiency
What is the pathogenesis of selective IgA immunoglobulin deficiency?
is inability of B cells to terminally differentiate into IgA-secreting plasma cells. Serum IgA levels are low, often <5 mg/dL
What recurrent disease incidences are seen with Ig A immunoglobulin deficicency?
SINOPULMONARY infections, infections of the GI tract, conjunctiva, and respiratory tract. Allergies,
Asthma, Autoimmune diseases
What is the treatment for IgA immunoglobulin deficiency?
No specific treatment. Prompt appropriate antibiotic therapy for recurrent infections
What should never be done for ppl with IgA immunoglobulin deficiency?
Should not be transfused and should not be treated with gamma globulin. Anaphylactic Hypersensitivity may occur
What is common variable immunodeficiency?
impaired B cell differentiation with defective immunoglobulin production
What laboratory findings are found with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)?
reduced serum concentrations of IgG, in combination with low levels of IgAand/orIgM.
Poor or absent response to immunizations
What is the pathogenesis of CVID?
a collection of hypogammaglobulinemia syndromes resulting from many genetic defects.
Describe the B lymphocytes of a person with CVID?
Normal numbers of B lymphocytes phenotypically IMMATURE .B lymphocytes are able to recognize antigens respond with proliferation, but they are impaired in their ability to become memory B cells and mature plasma cells
What is the presentation of CVID?
Recurrent sinopulmonary infections, and evidence of immune dysregulation leading to autoimmunity, inflammatory disorders, and malignant disease.
Why is the delayed recognition of CVID common?
the clinical manifestations affect multiple organ systems, pts are evaluated by several specialists by the time of diagnosis, and it takes an average of 5 to 7 years between onset and diagnosis
When do you consider CVID as a diagnosis?
Chronic pulmonary infections and chronic intestinal diseases (Giardiasis, intestinal malabsorption, and atrophic gastritis with pernicious anemia) and with symptoms of lymphoid malignancy
What are signs and symptoms of lymphoid malignancy?
fever, weight loss, anemia, thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly, generalized lymphadenopathy, and lymphocytosis
What is thymic aplasia (DiGeorge’s syndrome)?
Defective development of the pharyngeal pouch system