Abstract
In the era of COVID-19, understanding how our immune system responds to viral infections is more pertinent than ever. Immunodeficiencies with very low or absent B cells offer a valuable model to study the role of humoral immunity against these types of infection. This review looks at the available evidence on viral infections in patients with B cell alymphocytosis, in particular those with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), Good’s syndrome, post monoclonal-antibody therapy and certain patients with Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID). Viral infections are not as infrequent as previously thought in these conditions and individuals with very low circulating B cells seem to be predisposed to an adverse outcome. Particularly in the case of SARS-CoV2 infection, mounting evidence suggests that peripheral B cell alymphocytosis is linked to a poor prognosis.
Highlights
Humoral immunity has been regarded as the pillar of immune defenses against bacterial infections, but was thought to be less essential for viral infections
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought viral infections into the spotlight of global scientific interest and understanding how our immune system protects us from these infections is today more pertinent than ever
The immunodeficiency disorders discussed above offer an insight into the role of humoral immunity in antiviral defenses
Summary
Humoral immunity has been regarded as the pillar of immune defenses against bacterial infections, but was thought to be less essential for viral infections. Data from the world of primary immunodeficiency seems to support this view: patients with Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) generally present with recurrent bacterial infections, while those with Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) are predisposed to viral infections [1, 2]. To identify relevant articles in the literature we searched PubMed and Google scholar databases using the following terms: immunodeficiency, immune deficiency, viral disease, viral infection, peripheral B cells, serum B cells, B cell lymphopenia, B cell alymphocytosis, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, XLA, autosomal recessive agammaglobulinemia, Good’s syndrome, common variable immune deficiency, CVID, rituximab, B cell depleting therapy, anti-CD20 monoclonal-antibody therapy, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, enteroviruses, JC virus, astrovirus, adenovirus, measles, mumps, rubella, BK virus, West Nile virus, norovirus, HSV, CMV, VZV, HHV7, HHV8, HPV, vaccinia virus, parvovirus B19 and hepatitis virus. HHV8 is suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease and of lymphoproliferative disorders that are more frequent in these patients [118]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
