Characterization of patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity in six years of experience in the Immunology Outpatient Clinic of a University Hospital in Cali, Colombia (2015–2021)

Abstract

IntroductionIn August 2015 the Clinical Immunology outpatient clinic was established in the Hospital Universitario del Valle (HUV) in Cali, Colombia. The clinic evaluate an average of 10 to 20 patients weekly (new and follow up). Most of the cases were referred in the context of recurrent infection syndrome, disseminated mycobacterial disease, hypogammaglobulinemia and severe autoimmune or allergic disease. DesignWe develop a retrospective analysis of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with confirmed Inborn Errors of Immunity, admitted to Clinical Immunology outpatient clinic between August 2015 and September 2021. ResultsThe Clinical Immunology outpatient clinic has evaluated 676 patients classified as: Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) in study 169 patients (24.24%), severe/refractory allergy 228 patients (32.71%), internal medicine patients (16.64%) and autoimmunity rheumatic disease 45 patients (6.45%), among others.According to the IUIS-2019 classification, 84 patients with confirm Inborn Errors of Immunity (12.05%) were diagnosed. The rate of males to females was 1.7:1, and 67% of patients were younger than 18 years of age. The mean age ar the onset of symptoms was 2.0 year and the diagnosis lag was 7.0 years. Antibody deficiency and common variable immunodeficiencies were the most common categories and phenotypes, respectively. ConclusionsOur Clinical Immunology service constituted an opportunity for low income people with public health care insurance in the southwest of Colombia. The Universidad del Valle and Hospital Universitario del Valle combine effort has contribute to improve the suspicious, diagnosis and treatment of patients living with Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI), as well as patients with other immune disorders.