The Immunocompromised Host

Question 1

What does CVID stand for?

Answer 1

Common Variable Intravenous Immunoglobin

Question 2

What does PID stand for?

Answer 2

Primary immunodeficiency

Question 3

At what point are most patients with PIDs diagnosed?

Answer 3

>18years

Question 4

=What does it mean to be ‘immunocompromised’?

Answer 4

State where immune system= unable to respond appropriately and effectively to infectious microorganisms (due to defect in one+ components)

Question 5

What’s the difference between primary immunodeficiency and secondary immunodeficiency?

Answer 5

Primary= Congenital Secondary=Acquired

Question 6

What may cause primary immunodeficiency?

Answer 6

Intrinsic gene defect

Question 7

What may cause secondary immunodeficiency?

Answer 7

Decrease in production/function of immune components or increase in loss of immune components due to : 1) Malnutrition 2) Chemotherapy/Malignancy 3) HIV

Question 8

What do we need to recognise to be able to diagnose an immunodeficiency?

Answer 8

-SPUR= Severe (i.e. will die without treatment), Persistent (despite conventional antimicrobial treatment), Unusual, Recurrent. -Family history -Secondary causes of immunodeficiency -Age, site of infection etc

Question 9

State some of the 10 warning signs of PIDs:

Answer 9

1)Two+ ear infections within 1 year 2)Recurrent viral infections 3)Chronic diarrhoea w./ weightloss 4)Persistent thrush/fungal infection 5)Family history of PID

Question 10

What are the limitations of the ‘10 warning signs for PID’?

Answer 10

1= Such broad range of PIDs so broad range of presentations 2= PID patients with non-infectious manifestations e.g. malignancy, autoimmunity, inflammatory responses

Question 11

What defects cause PID?

Answer 11

1) Antibody defects- 65% 2) T cell defects- 15% 3) Phagocytic- 10%