Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disease Research Articles

Electronic health record signatures identify undiagnosed patients with common variable immunodeficiency disease.

Human inborn errors of immunity include rare disorders entailing functional and quantitative antibody deficiencies due to impaired B cells called the common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) phenotype. Patients with CVID face delayed diagnoses and treatments for 5 to 15 years after symptom onset because the disorders are rare (prevalence of ~1/25,000), and there is extensive heterogeneity in CVID phenotypes, ranging from infections to autoimmunity to inflammatory conditions, overlapping with other more common disorders. The prolonged diagnostic odyssey drives excessive system-wide costs before diagnosis. Because there is no single causal mechanism, there are no genetic tests to definitively diagnose CVID. Here, we present PheNet, a machine learning algorithm that identifies patients with CVID from their electronic health records (EHRs). PheNet learns phenotypic patterns from verified CVID cases and uses this knowledge to rank patients by likelihood of having CVID. PheNet could have diagnosed more than half of our patients with CVID 1 or more years earlier than they had been diagnosed. When applied to a large EHR dataset, followed by blinded chart review of the top 100 patients ranked by PheNet, we found that 74% were highly probable to have CVID. We externally validated PheNet using >6 million records from disparate medical systems in California and Tennessee. As artificial intelligence and machine learning make their way into health care, we show that algorithms such as PheNet can offer clinical benefits by expediting the diagnosis of rare diseases.

Influence of Splenomegaly and Splenectomy on the Immune Cell Profile of Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disease.

About 25% of patients with common variable immunodeficiency disease (CVID) have splenomegaly, necessitating sometimes splenectomy whom consequences on the immunological profile of CVID patients have never been studied. We analyzed 11 CVID patients' comprehensive blood immune cell phenotypes pre- and post-splenectomy. Flow cytometry analyses of immune cell populations. Among 89 CVID cohort patients, 41 with splenomegaly, splenomegaly was strongly associated with granulomatous disease, autoimmune disorders, lymphoid hyperplasia, and/or portal hypertension. CVID patients with splenomegaly have significant peripheral lymphopenia (p = 0.001), and significantly fewer peripheral class-switched memory B cells (smBs) (p = 0.001), CD4+ T lymphocytes (p = 0.001), NK (p = 0.0001) and dendritic cells (p ≤ 0.01), and significantly more circulating CD4+ and CD8+ (p = 0.00001) T cell subset activation (p = 0.00005), than CVID patients without splenomegaly. Examination of splenectomy impact on circulating lymphocyte subset distributions demonstrated the drastically enhanced total circulating lymphocyte count post-splenectomy, predominantly B lymphocytes and CD8+ T cells. However, splenectomy did not change B cell distribution, with smBs remaining persistently low, in contrast to complete inversion of the circulating T cell composition, with reversal of the CD4+/CD8+ ratio suggesting that amplification of the CD8+ T cell compartment is a CVID characteristic in patients with splenomegaly. Our results highlight this CD8+ amplification in CVID-splenomegaly patients that might be explained by a homing effect to the spleen and/or possible chronic virus replication, which in turn could induce T cell expansions. Splenectomizing CVID patients with splenomegaly restores the absolute circulating lymphocyte count, suggesting that the decreased T cell count in the presence of splenomegaly cannot be used as an exclusive criterion for combined immunodeficiency.

Shorter antitubercular therapy for extrapulmonary tuberculosis - a case report

IntroductionExtrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) adds to India’s significant economic burden, with pericardial effusion being a potentially fatal complication. This case report highlights the need for early diagnosis and the feasibility of shorter-duration treatment for EPTB in developing countries.PresentationThis case report describes a 19-year-old male from Southeast Asia who had a history of bronchiectasis involving the left lower lobe and the right middle lobe, which was cystic in nature, as well as multiple episodes of non-tuberculous pneumonia. Currently, he presented with fever, hypotension, tachycardia, and acute kidney injury. Echocardiogram showed left ventricular dysfunction with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 45% and moderate pericardial effusion. Early signs of cardiac tamponade were noted, specifically the absence of respiratory variation in the right ventricle and left ventricle collapse. Emergent pericardiocentesis was performed, and hemorrhagic pericardial fluid was aspirated. Fluid analysis revealed high levels of LDH (5000 U/L), polymorphonuclear leukocytosis, and acid-fast bacilli that were visualized on microscopy, which led to the diagnosis of pericardial tuberculosis. A CT of the abdomen showed hepatosplenomegaly and polyserositis. Empirically, antitubercular therapy consisting of isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol was administered for 2 months and isoniazid along with rifampicin was given for the next 4 months. Serial echocardiograms in the following months showed an improvement in LVEF (55%) and decreased effusion. However, during this treatment period, due to frequent episodes of pneumonia, the evaluation of immunodeficiency disorders was performed and revealed low levels of IgG (4.741 g/L), IgA (0.238 g/L), and IgM (0.098 g/L). He was diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency disease and received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.ConclusionThis report emphasizes the timely identification of cardiac tamponade and the effective management of EPTB through a shorter-than-recommended course of antitubercular therapy, resulting in the alleviation of symptoms and better overall health outcomes.

Characterization of infectious and non-infectious gastrointestinal disease in common variable immunodeficiency: analysis of 114 patient cohort.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), a complex primary immunodeficiency syndrome defined by defective B cell responses to infection and vaccination, has heterogeneous clinical manifestations. Gastrointestinal (GI) complications in CVID, both infectious and non-infectious, can cause significant impairment leading to malabsorption and frank malnutrition. In order to better characterize the spectrum of GI disease associated with CVID, we describe 114 patients with GI disease (15.6%) from our 728 patient single center CVID cohort. Norovirus, Giardia and Cytomegalovirus were the most frequently isolated infectious pathogens. CVID enteropathy was the most encountered GI diagnosis based on endoscopy, with only a minority of patients having Crohn's disease (6.1%) or ulcerative colitis/proctitis (4.5%). Concurrent autoimmunity (30.7%), lung disease (18.4%) and malignancy (8.7%) were also present in significant proportion of subjects. Lastly, 16 of 47 (34%) who underwent whole exome sequencing demonstrated a culprit gene defect associated with CVID.

Common and Uncommon CT Findings in CVID-Related GL-ILD: Correlations with Clinical Parameters, Therapeutic Decisions and Potential Implications in the Differential Diagnosis

PurposeTo investigate computed tomography (CT) findings of Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease (GL-ILD) in Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), also in comparison with non-GL-ILD abnormalities, correlating GL-ILD features with functional/immunological parameters and looking for GL-ILD therapy predictive elements.MethodsCT features of 38 GL-ILD and 38 matched non-GL-ILD subjects were retrospectively described. Correlations of GL-ILD features with functional/immunological features were assessed. A logistic regression was performed to find a predictive model of GL-ILD therapeutic decisions.ResultsMost common GL-ILD CT findings were bronchiectasis, non-perilymphatic nodules, consolidations, Ground Glass Opacities (GGO), bands and enlarged lymphnodes. GL-ILD was usually predominant in lower fields. Multiple small nodules (≤10 mm), consolidations, reticulations and fibrotic ILD are more indicative of GL-ILD. Bronchiectasis, GGO, Reticulations and fibrotic ILD correlated with decreased lung performance. Bronchiectasis, GGO and fibrotic ILD were associated with low IgA levels, whereas high CD4+ T cells percentage was related to GGO. Twenty out of 38 patients underwent GL-ILD therapy. A model combining Marginal Zone (MZ) B cells percentage, IgA levels, lower field consolidations and lymphnodes enlargement showed a good discriminatory capacity with regards to GL-ILD treatment.ConclusionsGL-ILD is a lower field predominant disease, commonly characterized by bronchiectasis, non-perilymphatic small nodules, consolidations, GGO and bands. Multiple small nodules, consolidations, reticulations and fibrotic ILD may suggest the presence of GL-ILD in CVID. MZ B cells percentage, IgA levels at diagnosis, lower field consolidations and mediastinal lymphnodes enlargement may predict the need of a specific GL-ILD therapy.

Efficacy of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in patients with autoimmune disorders: humoral and cellular immune response

BackgroundThe impact of immunosuppressive therapies on the efficacy of vaccines to SARS-CoV-2 is not completely clarified. We analyzed humoral and T cell-mediated response after COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in immunosuppressed patients and patients with common variable immunodeficiency disease (CVID).PatientsWe enrolled 38 patients and 11 healthy sex- and age-matched controls (HC). Four patients were affected by CVID and 34 by chronic rheumatic diseases (RDs). All patients with RDs were treated by corticosteroid therapy and/or immunosuppressive treatment and/or biological drugs: 14 patients were treated with abatacept, 10 with rituximab, and 10 with tocilizumab.MethodsTotal antibody titer to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was assessed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, CD4 and CD4-CD8 T cell-mediated immune response was analyzed by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release assay, the production of IFN-γ-inducible (CXCL9 and CXCL10) and innate-immunity chemokines (MCP-1, CXCL8, and CCL5) by cytometric bead array after stimulation with different spike peptides. The expression of CD40L, CD137, IL-2, IFN-γ, and IL-17 on CD4 and CD8 T cells, evaluating their activation status, after SARS-CoV-2 spike peptides stimulation, was analyzed by intracellular flow cytometry staining. Cluster analysis identified cluster 1, namely the “high immunosuppression” cluster, and cluster 2, namely the “low immunosuppression” cluster.ResultsAfter the second dose of vaccine, only abatacept-treated patients, compared to HC, showed a reduced anti-spike antibody response (mean: 432 IU/ml ± 562 vs mean: 1479 IU/ml ± 1051: p = 0.0034), and an impaired T cell response, compared with HC. In particular, we found a significantly reduced release of IFN-γ from CD4 and CD4-CD8 stimulated T cells, compared with HC (p = 0.0016 and p = 0.0078, respectively), reduced production of CXCL10 and CXCL9 from stimulated CD4 (p = 0.0048 and p = 0.001) and CD4-CD8 T cells (p = 0.0079 and p = 0.0006). Multivariable General Linear Model analysis confirmed a relationship between abatacept exposure and impaired production of CXCL9, CXCL10, and IFN-γ from stimulated T cells. Cluster analysis confirms that cluster 1 (including abatacept and half of rituximab treated cases) showed a reduced IFN-γ response, as well as reduced monocyte-derived chemokines All groups of patients demonstrated the ability to generate specific CD4 T activated cells after spike proteins stimulation. After the third dose of vaccine, abatacept-treated patients acquired the ability to produce a strong antibody response, showing an anti-S titer significantly higher compared to that obtained after the second dose (p = 0.0047), and comparable with the anti-S titer of the other groups.ConclusionsPatients treated with abatacept showed an impaired humoral immune response to two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The third vaccine dose has been demonstrated to be useful to induce a more robust antibody response to balance an impaired T cell-mediated one. All patients, exposed to different immunosuppressive drugs, were able to produce specific CD4-activated T cells, after spike proteins stimulation.Trial registrationLocal Ethical Committee NP4187.

Clinical manifestations and approach to the management of patients with common variable immunodeficiency and liver disease.

The clinical spectrum of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) includes predisposition to infections, autoimmune/inflammatory complications and malignancy. Liver disease is developed by a proportion of patients with CVID, but limited evidence is available about its prevalence, pathogenesis and prognostic outcome. This lack of evidence leads to the absence of guidelines in clinical practice. In this study, we aimed at defining the characteristics, course and management of this CVID complication in Spain. Spanish reference centers were invited to complete a cross-sectional survey. Thirty-eight patients with CVID-related liver disease from different hospitals were evaluated by a retrospective clinical course review. In this cohort, abnormal liver function and thrombocytopenia were found in most of the patients (95% and 79% respectively), in keeping with the higher incidence of abnormal liver imaging and splenomegaly. The most common histological findings included nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) and lymphocytic infiltration, which have been associated with portal hypertension (PHTN) leading to a poorer prognosis. Autoimmune/inflammatory complications occurred in 82% of the CVID patients that developed liver disease and 52% of the patients treated with immunomodulators showed a reduction in the liver function tests' abnormalities during treatment. Among the experts that conducted the survey, there was 80% or more consensus that the workup of CVID-related liver disease requires liver profile, abdominal ultrasound and transient elastography. The majority agreed that liver biopsy should be essential for diagnosis. There was 94% consensus that endoscopic studies should be performed in the presence of PHTN. However, there was 89% consensus that there is insufficient evidence on the management of these patients. Liver disease varies in severity and may contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality in patients with CVID. Hence the importance of close follow-up and screening of this CVID complication to prompt early targeted intervention. Further research is needed to evaluate the pathophysiology of liver disease in patients with CVID to identify personalized treatment options. This study emphasizes the urgent need to develop international guidelines for the diagnosis and management of this CVID complication.

A RARE MANIFESTATION OF KIDNEY DISEASE IN COMMON VARIABLE IMMUNODEFICIENCY

<h3>Introduction</h3> Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) are at risk for developing both infectious and non-infectious complications. An uncommon complication in patients with CVID is kidney disease. <h3>Case Description</h3> A 39 year old male with history of CVID, granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD), immune thrombocytopenia purpura, splenomegaly, Raynaud's phenomenon and autoimmune thyroiditis was found to have an asymptomatic elevated creatinine. He developed a gradual increase in creatinine starting in 2020 with a peak creatinine of 2.17 and blood urea nitrogen of 30 in 2022. His creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were 0.91 and 18 in 2019. CVID was originally diagnosed in 2016. He was managed on subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement therapy for several years. He did not have a known family history of chronic kidney disease. Kidney biopsy demonstrated dense lymphocytic infiltration with B and T lymphocytes. He was started on slow prednisone taper, rituximab, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for <i>Pneumocystis</i> pneumonia prophylaxis. His kidney function improved and has remained stable with a creatinine and blood urea nitrogen of 1.68 and 27, respectively. <h3>Discussion</h3> This case serves as an example of a rare complication in a patient with CVID. The mechanism of kidney disease in CVID is not well known. Previous reported cases of kidney disease in CVID have demonstrated evidence of glomerulonephritis and tubulointerstitial nephritis. This case is also unique in that the patient was treated with rituximab. Further investigation is needed into the appropriate monitoring and treatment options for kidney disease with CVID.

Liver disease accompanied by enteropathy in common variable immunodeficiency: Common pathophysiological mechanisms.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is one of the inborn errors of immunity that have the greatest clinical impact. Rates of morbidity and mortality are higher in patients with CVID who develop liver disease than in those who do not. The main liver disorder in CVID is nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH), the cause of which remains unclear and for which there is as yet no treatment. The etiology of liver disease in CVID is determined by analyzing the liver injury and the associated conditions. The objective of this study was to compare CVID patients with and without liver-spleen axis abnormalities in terms of clinical characteristics, as well as to analyze liver and duodenal biopsies from those with portal hypertension (PH), to elucidate the pathophysiology of liver injury. Patients were divided into three groups: Those with liver disease/PH, those with isolated splenomegaly, and those without liver-spleen axis abnormalities. Clinical and biochemical data were collected. Among 141 CVID patients, 46 (32.6%) had liver disease/PH; 27 (19.1%) had isolated splenomegaly; and 68 (48.2%) had no liver-spleen axis abnormalities. Among the liver disease/PH group, patients, even those with mild or no biochemical changes, had clinical manifestations of PH, mainly splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, and esophageal varices. Duodenal celiac pattern was found to correlate with PH (p < 0.001). We identified NRH in the livers of all patients with PH (n = 11). Lymphocytic infiltration into the duodenal mucosa also correlated with PH. Electron microscopy of liver biopsy specimens showed varying degrees of lymphocytic infiltration and hepatocyte degeneration, which is a probable mechanism of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against hepatocytes and enterocytes. In comparison with the CVID patients without PH, those with PH were more likely to have lymphadenopathy (p < 0.001), elevated β2-microglobulin (p < 0.001), low B-lymphocyte counts (p < 0.05), and low natural killer-lymphocyte counts (p < 0.05). In CVID patients, liver disease/PH is common and regular imaging follow-up is necessary. These patients have a distinct immunological phenotype that may predispose to liver and duodenal injury from lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. Further studies could elucidate the cause of this immune-mediated mechanism and its treatment options.

A Case of Rectal Malakoplakia in an Immunocompromised Woman With Chronic Colonic Bacterial Infections

A 45-year-old woman with common variable immunodeficiency and interstitial lung disease on weekly intravenous immune globulin therapy and mycophenolate mofetil presents to the gastroenterology clinic following a year of worsening diarrhea. She reports 5 to 6 nonbloody bowel movements a day with 10-lb weight loss. On colonoscopy multiple 8- to 10-mm mucosal nodules were noted in the rectum (Figure A) surrounded by patchy areas of flattened carpet-like erythematous mucosal lesions (Figure B). Biopsies of the rectal nodules and mucosa are detailed at ×200 magnification pathology slides in Figures C and D through a hematoxylin-eosin and von Kossa stain, respectively.

Raised Serum Markers of T Cell Activation and Exhaustion in Granulomatous-Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease in Common Variable Immunodeficiency

PurposeAbout 20–30% of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) develop granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) as one of several non-infectious complications to their immunodeficiency. The purpose of this study was to identify biomarkers that could distinguish GLILD from other non-infectious complications in CVID.MethodsWe analyzed serum biomarkers related to inflammation, pulmonary epithelium injury, fibrogenesis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and compared three subgroups of CVID: GLILD patients (n = 16), patients with other non-infectious complications (n = 37), and patients with infections only (n = 20).ResultsWe found that GLILD patients had higher levels of sCD25, sTIM-3, IFN-γ, and TNF, reflecting T cell activation and exhaustion, compared to both CVID patients with other inflammatory complications and CVID with infections only. GLILD patients also had higher levels of SP-D and CC16, proteins related to pulmonary epithelium injury, as well as the ECM remodeling marker MMP-7, than patients with other non-infectious complications.ConclusionGLILD patients have elevated serum markers of T cell activation and exhaustion, pulmonary epithelium injury, and ECM remodeling, pointing to potentially important pathways in GLILD pathogenesis, novel targets for therapy, and promising biomarkers for clinical evaluation of these patients.

EBV-POSITIVE B-CELL ULCERATIVE PROLIFERATION IN THE ORAL CAVITY

<h3>Objective</h3> Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) are a group of conditions characterized by excessive production of lymphocytes manifested by lymphadenopathy, monoclonal lymphocytosis, and bone marrow infiltration. LPDs are often associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. EBV-associated LPDs most commonly appear in the setting of immunocompromised status such as HIV and in transplantation with the extended use of immunosuppressive medications. Individuals with primary immunodeficiency disorders, such as common variable immunodeficiency disease (CVID) or severe combined immunodeficiency, are also at risk of LPD. <h3>Case Summary</h3> A 67-year-old woman complained of mouth ulcerations for 3 months before presentation that were progressively getting worse. Past medical history included CVID, CD4 lymphopenia, rhinosinusitis, eosinophilic asthma, chronic back pain, anxiety, and depression. Medications included immunoglobulin replacement therapy, mepolizumab, montelukast, albuterol, cetirizine, bupropion, clonazepam, fluoxetine, and gabapentin. The patient was allergic to penicillin and azithromycin. Past surgical history was notable for removal of skin melanoma and total knee replacement. Review of systems included a 3-month, 25-lb weight loss, odynophagia, constipation, weakness, and fatigue. Extraoral examination was unremarkable. Intraoral examination revealed 3 × 2 cm² necrotizing palatal ulcerations bilaterally. Necrotizing ulceration was also noted on multiple areas of the gingiva. Differential diagnosis included acute necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis, deep fungal infection (aspergillosis), and lymphoma/LPD. Complete blood count with differential, EBV polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cytomegalovirus PCR and maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) were ordered. The CT scan was unremarkable and laboratory evaluation was negative except for positive EBV PCR. Oral biopsy demonstrated EBV positive B-cell ulcerative proliferation. Positron emission tomography/CT showed widespread fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid lymphadenopathy. An axillary lymph node biopsy showed atypical lymphoid proliferation in a background of atypical and reactive follicular hyperplasia most consistent with EBV-negative follicular lymphoma, which appeared histologically distinct from the oral EBV-positive LPD. The patient is currently being treated with single-agent rituximab therapy. <h3>Conclusions</h3> EBV may cause oral diseases including infectious mononucleosis, oral hairy leukoplakia, necrotizing ulcerative mucositis, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and EBV-related LPD. Persistent oral lesions in patients with CVID could be related to underlying systemic disease. This case is unique because the patient seemingly had follicular lymphoma unrelated to her EBV-positive LPD oral disease, yet in the setting of severe immunosuppression from CVID.

A Case of Aplastic Anemia and Colon Cancer With Underlying Spliceosome Mutation: Is It an Incidental Finding or a Novel Association?

Alternative splicing is an epigenetic mechanism that plays a role in the development and function of antigen-specific lymphocytes. One such is the zinc-finger-RNA-binding-motif-and-serine/arginine-rich-2 (ZRSR2), which is clinically implicated in myelodysplastic syndrome and leukemia. Here, we present a case of a young male with myriad autoimmune conditions and adenocarcinoma of the colon in the setting of ZRSR2 mutation.A 28-year-old male with common variable immunodeficiency disease, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune gastroenteropathy, inflammatory polyarthropathy, primary bone marrow failure, colon cancer, and family history of Lynch syndrome was admitted to our hospital for an acute flare of autoimmune enteropathy secondary to subtherapeutic tacrolimus levels.He initially developed pancytopenia at the age of 26 years. Workup for HIV, hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, human-herpesvirus 6, parvovirus was negative. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT), international normalized ratio (INR), d-dimer, ferritin, iron profile, antinuclear antibodies (ANA) screen was unremarkable. Direct, indirect, and super-combs antibodies were undetectable. Chromosomal study for Fanconi-related chromosomal breakage and telomerase gene panel was negative. Flow cytometry did not reveal an abnormal clone. Bone marrow biopsy showed markedly hypocellular marrow with reduced trilineage hematopoiesis and 1% blasts with normal cytogenetics, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and negative for myelodysplastic syndrome and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Cincinnati inherited children’s bone marrow transplant (BMT) panel was negative. He was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and was treated with antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporine, prednisone, and currently tacrolimus. At the age of 26 years, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Immunohistochemistry was positive for MLH1, but the confirmatory genetic testing for Lynch syndrome was negative. He underwent total proctocolectomy and ileostomy and is currently in remission. Next-generation sequencing of bone marrow revealed a germline homozygous ZRSR2 mutation. ZRSR2 spliceosome mutations are more common in males as it’s an X-linked gene. They are seen in myelodysplastic syndrome, leukemia, increased autoimmune phenomenon, and 35 cases of colon cancer associated with this mutation are reported. In the setting of aplastic anemia and lynch negative colon cancer, we suspect our patient could have aplastic anemia due to an autoimmune phenomenon, underlying common variable immunodeficiency disease (CVID), or the new ZRSR2 mutation could be playing a role. Further studies and research is warranted to determine its true association with the disease entities. The underlying contributing factor is ZRSR2 mutation.

Interstitial lung disease in common variable immunodeficiency.

Interstitial lung disease in common variable immunodeficiency.

The Epidemiology and Clinical Presentations of Atopic Diseases in Selective IgA Deficiency.

Selective IgA deficiency (sIgAD) is the most common primary immunodeficiency disease (PID), with an estimated occurrence from about 1:3000 to even 1:150, depending on population. sIgAD is diagnosed in adults and children after the 4th year of age, with immunoglobulin A level below 0.07 g/L and normal levels of IgM and IgG. Usually, the disease remains undiagnosed throughout the patient’s life, due to its frequent asymptomatic course. If symptomatic, sIgAD is connected to more frequent viral and bacterial infections of upper respiratory, urinary, and gastrointestinal tracts, as well as autoimmune and allergic diseases. Interestingly, it may also be associated with other PIDs, such as IgG subclasses deficiency or specific antibodies deficiency. Rarely sIgAD can evolve to common variable immunodeficiency disease (CVID). It should also be remembered that IgA deficiency may occur in the course of other conditions or result from their treatment. It is hypothesized that allergic diseases (e.g., eczema, rhinitis, asthma) are more common in patients diagnosed with this particular PID. Selective IgA deficiency, although usually mildly symptomatic, can be difficult for clinicians. The aim of the study is to summarize the connection between selective IgA deficiency and atopic diseases.

Interstitial Lung Disease in Common Variable Immunodeficiency.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common complication in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and often associated with other features, such as bronchiectasis and autoimmunity. As the ILD term encompasses different acute and chronic pulmonary conditions, the diagnosis is commonly made based on imaging features; histopathology is less frequently available. From a cohort of 637 patients with CVID followed at our center over 4 decades, we reviewed the data for 46 subjects (30 females, 16 males) who had lung biopsies with proven ILD. They had a median age at CVID diagnosis of 26 years old, with a median IgG level at diagnosis of 285.0 mg/dL with average isotype switched memory B cells of 0.5%. Lung biopsy pathology revealed granulomas in 25 patients (54.4%), lymphoid interstitial pneumonia in 13 patients (28.3%), lymphoid hyperplasia not otherwise specified in 7 patients (15.2%), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia in 7 patients (15.2%), follicular bronchitis in 4 patients (8.7%), and predominance of pulmonary fibrosis in 4 patients (8.7%). Autoimmune manifestations were common and were present in 28 (60.9%) patients. Nine patients (19.6%) died, with a median age at death of 49-years-old. Lung transplant was done in 3 of these patients (6.5%) who are no longer alive. These analyses reveal the high burden of this complication, with almost one-fifth of the group deceased in this period. Further understanding of the causes of the development and progression of ILD in CVID patients is required to define the best management for this patient population.

Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease (GLILD) in Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID): A Multicenter Retrospective Study of Patients From Italian PID Referral Centers.

Background: Granulomatous and Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Diseases (GLILD) is a severe non-infectious complication of Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), often associated with extrapulmonary involvement. Due to a poorly understood pathogenesis, GLILD diagnosis and management criteria still lack consensus. Accordingly, it is a relevant cause of long-term loss of respiratory function and is closely associated with a markedly reduced survival. The aim of this study was to describe clinical, immunological, laboratory and functional features of GLILD, whose combination in a predictive model might allow a timely diagnosis.Methods: In a multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study we enrolled 73 CVID patients with radiologic features of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated to CVID (CVID-ILD) and 125 CVID patients without ILD (controls). Of the 73 CVID-ILD patients, 47 received a definite GLILD diagnosis while 26 received a clinical-radiologic diagnosis of CVID related ILD defined as uILD.Results: In GLILD group we found a higher prevalence of splenomegaly (84.8 vs. 39.2%), autoimmune cytopenia (59.6 vs. 6.4%) and bronchiectasis (72.3 vs. 28%), and lower IgA and IgG serum levels at CVID diagnosis. GLILD patients presented lower percentage of switched-memory B cells and marginal zone B cells, and a marked increase in the percentage of circulating CD21lo B cells (14.2 vs. 2.9%). GLILD patients also showed lower total lung capacity (TLC 87.5 vs. 5.0%) and gas transfer (DLCO 61.5 vs. 5.0%) percent of predicted. By univariate logistic regression analysis, we found IgG and IgA levels at CVID diagnosis, presence of splenomegaly and autoimmune cytopenia, CD21lo B cells percentage, TLC and DCLO percent of predicted to be associated to GLILD. The joint analysis of four variables (CD21lo B cells percentage, autoimmune cytopenia, splenomegaly and DLCO percent of predicted), together in a multiple logistic regression model, yielded an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95-1.0). The AUC was only slightly modified when pooling together GLILD and uILD patients (0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.97).Conclusions: we propose the combination of two clinical parameters (splenomegaly and autoimmune cytopenia), one lung function index (DLCO%) and one immunologic variable (CD21lo%) as a promising tool for early identification of CVID patients with interstitial lung disease, limiting the use of aggressive diagnostic procedures.

Overlay Between Th1 and Th2 pathways in Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency and Allergic disease

Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is defined by low serum immunoglobulins, history of recurrent sinopulmonary infections, and blunted response to immunization. It can be associated with immune dysregulation. Though not well documented, it has been clinically suspected that CVID may be associated with allergic disease. We set out to determine a possible connection.

A Case of Mild COVID-19 in a Teenager with Common Variable Immunodeficiency and Granulomatous Interstitial Lung Disease on Replacement Immunoglobulin and Infliximab

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a disorder of the immune system. Patients are generally diagnosed in their adolescence and require regular immunoglobulin replacement. Due to their immune dysregulation, they are at increased risk of infections, autoimmune disease, and cancer.

SARS-CoV-2-Associated T-Cell Responses in the Presence of Humoral Immunodeficiency

We report perhaps the most comprehensive study of subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ and subsets of B cells in a mild symptomatic SARS-CoV-2+ immunocompetent patient and a common variable immunodeficiency disease (CVID) patient who had normal absolute lymphocyte counts and remained negative for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Naïve (T_N), central memory (T_CM), effector memory (T_EM), and terminally differentiated effector memory (T_EMRA) subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, subsets of T follicular helper cells (cT_FH, T_FH1, T_FH2, T_FH17, T_FH1/T_FH17, and T_FR), CD4 Treg, CD8 Treg, mature B cells, transitional B cells, marginal zone B cells, germinal center (GC) B cells, CD21^low B cells, antibody-secreting cells (plasmablasts), and Breg cells were examined in patients and age-matched controls with appropriate monoclonal antibodies and isotype controls using multicolor flow cytometry. Different patterns of abnormalities (often contrasting) were observed in the subsets of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, B-cell subsets, and regulatory lymphocytes among the immunocompetent patient and CVID patient as compared to corresponding healthy controls. Furthermore, when data were analyzed between the 2 patients, the immunocompetent patient demonstrated greater changes in various subsets as compared to the CVID patient. These data demonstrate different immunological responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in an immunocompetent patient and the CVID patient. A marked decrease in GC B cells and plasmablasts may be responsible for failure to make SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The lack of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with mild clinical disease suggests an important role of T-cell response in defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection.