title: X-linked agammaglobulinemia: an analysis of 96 patients.
abstract: We have defined the clinical presentation and course of X-linked agammaglobulinemia (X-LA) by means of a multi-center retrospective survey of 96 patients. Infections were the most common presenting feature of patients with X-LA. The most frequent infections involved the upper respiratory tract (75%), lower respiratory tract (65%), gastrointestinal tract (35%), skin (28%), and central nervous system (16%). Clinical clues to the diagnosis of X-LA were the chronic or recurrent nature of infections, a family history of immunodeficiency, and infections at more than one anatomic location. Infections remained a significant problem after the diagnosis of X-LA was made and gamma-globulin prophylaxis had been instituted. One or more chronic infectious diseases occurred in 71% of patients. The respiratory tract was the most common site of disease, and the gastrointestinal tract was relatively spared. Patients died at a mean age of 17 years. The two major causes of death were chronic pulmonary disease with resultant cardiac failure, and disseminated viral infections which characteristically caused a dermatomyositis-like syndrome, hepatitis, pneumonitis, and meningoencephalitis.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lederman
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Winkelstein
mesh_terms: D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009656:North America; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005719:gamma-Globulins