Secondary immune deficiencies and HIV-1 infection Flashcards
What are 7 causes of secondary immune deficiencies?
Malnutrition (commonest globally)
Infectious Diseases e.g. HIV
Environmental stress
Age Extremes: Prematurity + old age
Surgery + trauma, splenectomy
Immunosuppressive drugs
Genetic + metabolic diseases
What are signs and symptoms of secondary immune deficiencies?
Infections: Severe, persistent, recurrent, unusual
Autoimmune conditions (cytopaenias) and allergic disease
Persistent inflammation
Cancer (viral associated EBV, HHV-8)
Which small molecules can cause immune deficiencies?
- Glucocorticoids + mineralocorticoids
- Cytotoxic agents: Methotrexate, mycophenolate, cyclophosphamide + azathioprine.
- Calcineurin inhibitors: Cyclosporine + tacrolimus
- Antiepileptic drugs (phenytoin, carbamazepine, levetiracetam)
- DMARD (sulphasalazine, leflunomide)
Which JAK inhibitors can cause immune deficiencies?
- Tofacitinib
- Upadacitinib
- Ruxolitinib
Being used in increasing no. diseases e.g. RA, GvHD
Can cause antibody deficiency
A/w increased risk of reactivation of herpes zoster
Which drug class can cause TB reoccurance?
Anti-TNF agents
Screen for latent TB
If detected give TB prophylaxis
Which cancers can present with secondary immune deficiencies?
B + plasma cell cancers (antibody deficiency syndromes are most common).
Chemotherapy, biological agents, + radiotherapy can leads to loss of immune cells + immune deficiency.
Which specific B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders are associated with secondary immune deficiency?
Multiple myeloma
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance
What is Good’s syndrome?
Thymoma + antibody deficiency
Combined T + B cell (absent) defect
Increased risk of CMV, PJP + muco-cutaneous candida
As thymus involved in control of central tolerance, increased risk of AI disease (Pure red cell aplasia, Myasthenia gravis, Lichen planus)
What are appropriate investigations for secondary immune deficiencies?
FISH
FBC: Hb < 10g/L, Neutrophil, Lymphocyte + Platelet count
Immunoglobulins: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE
Serum complement: C3, C4
HIV test: 18-80y
What is serum protein electrophoresis?
Separation of serum proteins by charge
Detection of discrete bands: monoclonal identified by immunofixation with labelled IgG, IgA, IgM anti-sera
SPE can miss free light chain disease (seen in 20% multiple myeloma cases): hence measurement of free light chains is essential for work up of B cell LPD.
What are second line investigations for secondary immune deficiencies?
Measure concentration of vaccine antibodies:
- Tetanus toxoid: Protein antigen
- Pneumovax vaccine: Carbohydrate antigen (all 23 serotypes or to individual pneumococcal serotypes)
What are third line investigations for secondary immune deficiencies?
Analysis of naïve + memory T + B cell subsets
Assessment of IgG subclasses
Determination of anti-cytokine + complement antibodies
Genetics (whole exome or whole genome sequencing in cases where it is uncertain whether primary or secondary immune defect)
What is the management of secondary immune deficiencies?
Treat underlying cause
Advise on measures to reduce exposure to infection
Immunisation against respiratory viruses + bacteria + offer vaccines to household contacts
Education to treat bacterial infections promptly: May require higher doses + longer courses (co-amoxiclav 625mg TDS for 10-14d rather than 375mg for 5-7d)
Prophylactic abx for confirmed recurrent bacterial infection (>,2/y)
What type of immunodeficiency is more common?
Secondary immune deficiency
Describe the secondary immune deficiency caused by measles
Immune defect lasts months-years
Increases morbidity + mortality esp. due to secondary bacterial infection/ unexplained diarrhoeal illness
Describe the secondary immune deficiency caused by TB
Depresses cell mediated immune response- detected as failed Mantoux test
In tx their immune system reconstitutes, sees infections the patient has experienced + mounts an inflammatory response
Describe the secondary immune deficiency caused by HIV
Residual immune dysfunction persists despite successful ART
Increased inflammation, cellular/ soluble markers of immune activation
Give an example of a glucocorticoid causing immune deficiency
>10mg/day prednisolone linked to increased rate of antibody loss
Affects cellular + humoral immunity
Increased susceptibility to bacterial + viral infections
How do calcineurin inhibitors cause immune deficiency?
Cause cellular immune deficiency
Target dendritic cells + CD4 follicular function
Impact on peoples ability to respond to vaccines
Name a biologic/ cellular therapy that can cause immune deficiency
Rituximab (anti-CD20 antibodies)
Increases risk of antibody deficiency
Increased risk of secondary infection
Increased risk of fungal infection e.g. PCP, so give PCP prophylaxis
What must be evaluated in history taking in a patient with suspected immune deficiency?
Clinical hx of infection + evidence: sputum cultures, response to abx
Alarm Sx for B cell malignancy
Hx for other illnesses: haematological malignancies, Hep B/C, TB
FH infection, AI, cancer
Medication hx
Vaccine hx
What are the front line chemical investigations for immune deficiency?
Renal + liver profile
Calcium + bone profile
Total protein + Albumin
Urine protein/ Cr ratio
Serum protein electrophoresis
Serum free light chains