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Primary immunodeficiencyPrimary immunodeficiencies are disorders in which part of the body's immune system is missing or does not function properly. To be considered a primary immunodeficiency, the cause of the immune deficiency must not be secondary in nature (i.e., caused by other disease, drug treatment, or environmental exposure to toxins). Most primary immunodeficiencies are genetic disorders; the majority are diagnosed in children under the age of one, although milder forms may not be recognised until adulthood. About 1 in 500 people is born with a primary immunodeficiency.[1] Additional recommended knowledge
Signs and symptomsThe kind of defect to the immune system determines the symptoms of immunodeficiency. Generally, the problems that lead to the diagnosis of an immunodeficiency include recurrent or persistent infections, or developmental delay as a result of infection. Particular organ problems (e.g. diseases involving the skin, heart, facial development and skeletal system) may be present in certain conditions. Others predispose to autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, or tumours (sometimes specific forms of cancer, such as lymphoma). The nature of the infections, as well as the additional features, may provide clues as to the exact nature of the immune defect.[1] DiagnosisThe basic tests performed when an immunodeficiency is suspected should include a full blood count (including accurate lymphocyte and granulocyte counts) and immunoglobulin levels (the three most important types of antibodies: IgG, IgA and IgM).[1] Other tests are performed depending on the suspected disorder:[1]
Due to the rarity of many primary immunodeficiencies, many of the above tests are highly specialised and tend to be performed in research laboratories.[1] Criteria for diagnosis were agreed in 1999. For instance, an antibody deficiency can be diagnosed in the presence of low immunoglobulins, recurrent infections and failure of the development of antibodies on exposure to antigens. The 1999 criteria also distinguish between "definitive", "probable" and "possible" in the diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency. "Definitive" diagnosis is made when it is likely that in 20 years, the patient has a >98% chance of the same diagnosis being made; this level of diagnosis is achievable with the detection of a genetic mutation or very specific circumstantial abnormalities. "Probable" diagnosis is made when no genetic diagnosis can be made, but the patient has all other characteristics of a particular disease; the chance of the same diagnosis being made 20 years later is estimated to be 85-97%. Finally, a "possible" diagnosis is made when the patient has only some of the characteristics of a disease are present, but not all.[2] ConditionsThe International Union of Immunological societies recognises eight classes of primary immunodeficiencies, totaling over 120 conditions.[3] Combined T- and B-cell immunodeficienciesIn these disorders both T lymphocytes and often B lymphocytes, regulators of adaptive immunity, are dysfunctional or decreased in number. The main members are various types of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).[3]
Antibody deficienciesIn antibody deficiencies, one or more isotypes of immunoglobulin are decreased or don't function properly. These proteins, generated by plasma cells, normally bind to pathogens, targeting them for destruction.[3]
Well-defined syndromesA number of syndromes escapes formal classification but is otherwise recognisable by particular clinical or immunological features.[3]
Immune dysregulation diseasesIn certain conditions, the regulation rather than the intrinsic activity of parts of the immune system is the predominant problem.[3]
Phagocyte disordersPhagocytes are the cells that engulf and ingest pathogens (phagocytosis), and destroy them with chemicals. Monocytes/macrophages as well as granulocytes are capable of this process. In certain conditions, either the number of phagocytes is reduced or their functional capacity is impaired.[3]
Innate immunity deficienciesSeveral rare conditions are due to defects in the innate immune system, which is a basic line of defence that is independent on the more advanced lymphocyte-related systems. Many of these conditions are associated with skin problems.[3]
Autoinflammatory disordersRather than predisposing for infections, most of the autoinflammatory disorders lead to excessive inflammation. Many manifest themselves as periodic fever syndromes. They may involve various organs directly, as well as predisposing for long-term damage (e.g. by leading to amyloid deposition).[3]
Complement deficienciesThe complement system is part of the innate as well as the adaptive immune system; it is a group of circulating proteins that can bind pathogens and form a membrane attack complex. Complement deficiencies are the result of a lack of any of these proteins. They may predispose to infections but also to autoimmune conditions.[3]
TreatmentThe treatment of primary immunodeficiencies depends foremost on the nature of the abnormality. This may range from intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in antibody deficiencies to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (for SCID). Reduction of exposure to pathogens may be recommended, and in many situations prophylactic antibiotics may be advised. EpidemiologyA survey of 10,000 American households revealed that the prevalence of diagnosed primary immunodeficiency approaches 1 in 1200. This figure does not take into account people with mild immune system defects who have not received a formal diagnosis.[4] Milder forms of primary immunodeficiency, such as selective immunoglobulin A deficiency, are fairly common, with random groups of people (such as otherwise healthy blood donors) having a rate of 1:600. Other disorders are distinctly more uncommon, with incidences between 1:100,000 and 1:2,000,000 being reported.[1] References
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Primary_immunodeficiency". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |