title: Transient B cell immaturity with intractable diarrhoea: a possible new immunodeficiency syndrome.
abstract: A male boy is described, who suffered from an intractable diarrhoea and several infections and who died in a severe marasmic state at the age of 8 months. Immunological studies revealed a block in the normal differentiation of B cells to Ig-producing plasma cells. After the age of 5 months, however, this block disappeared, leading to a dramatic increase in circulating Ig, most pronounced in the IgM class. In the intestine, plasma cells could only be detected after the age of 5 months, and then with a marked preponderance of IgM cells. Our results thus indicate a reversible block in the normal maturation of B cells in our patient. An older brother may have had a similar disease, suggesting a possible genetic basis for the disorder.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M