Primary Immunodeficiency 2 (IMMUNOLOGY) Flashcards
What is reticular dysgenesis?
Failure of haematopoietic stem cells in the thymus to produce neutrophils/lymphocytes/macrophages/platelets
Reticular dysgenesis is fatal unless…
Stem cell transplant
What is severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)?
Failure of haemotopoietic stem cells in the thymus to produce lymphocytes
How do patients with SCID present?
Unwell by 3 months Persistent diarrhoea Failure to thrive All types of infection (common/unusual/opportunistic) Vaccine-associated diseases Graft vs. Host Disease
Why do neonates with SCID only become unwell by 3 months?
Maternal IgG protects the SCID neonate in the first 3 months
What is the commonest form of SCID?
X-linked
Which mutation causes X-linked SCID?
Mutation of IL-2 receptor component
What is the clinical phenotype of X-linked SCID?
Very low or absent T cells
Normal or increased B cells
Poorly developed lymphoid tissue & thymus
How can X-linked SCID be treated prophylactically?
Avoid infection through prophylactic antibiotics and no vaccines + aggressive treatment of existing infections + antibody replacement by iv immunoglobulin
How can X-linked SCID be treated definitively?
Stem cell transplant
Gene therapy - stem cells treated ex vivo to express missing component
What is DiGeorge syndrome?
Genetic condition caused by a deletion at 22q11
Developmental defect of 4rd and 4th pharyngeal pouch
What are the clinical features of DiGeorge syndrome?
Failure of thyme development - T cell immunodeficiency Congenital heart defects Cleft palate Hypocalcaemia second to hypothyroidism Developmental delay Psychiatric disorders Lowest ears Abnormally folded High forehead Small mouth & jaw Oesophageal atresia
How can DiGeorge syndrome be detected through lab investigations?
Low or absent T cells
Normal or increased B cells
Normal NK cell numbers
How can DiGeorge syndrome be managed?
Correct metabolic & cardiac abnormalities Prophylactic antibiotics aggressive treatment of infection Possibly immunoglobulin replacement T cell function improves with age
What are the clinical features of T cell deficiencies?
Recurrent + opportunistic infections
Malignancies at young age
Autoimmune disease