Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia and immunodeficiency in association with thymoma–A presentation of Good's Syndrome

Abstract

IntroductionGood's Syndrome is a rare cause of immunodeficiency associated with thymoma. Patients with this syndrome are prone to infections with encapsulated microorganisms. The diagnosis may be delayed for a considerable time period even after the thymectomy. Case presentation: We describe the case of a 70-year-old woman with a background of thymec-tomy who presented with pneumonia and gram negative sepsis. Haemophilus influenzae was found in blood cultures. Moreover, there was evidence of impaired B and T cell immunity con-sistent with Good's Syndrome. She was commenced on immunoglobulin replacement following treatment of sepsis and remains well 18 months after the initial presentation. ConclusionThis case illustrates the importance of considering Good's Syndrome in the con-text of pneumonia and immunodeficiency associated with encapsulated organisms such as Haemophilus influenzae. This clinical entity is associated with a significant mortality and should be considered as a cause of immunodeficiency even years after thymectomy.