Antibody response in common variable immunodeficiency.
BACKGROUND
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) describes a heterogeneous group of immunologic disorders of unknown etiology. It is characterized by low levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) and impaired antibody response.


OBJECTIVE
To describe antibody response and the kinetics of IgG decline in patients identified with CVID.


METHODS
Clinical and immunologic observations of four patients identified with CVID were obtained by chart review.


RESULTS
Antibody response to polysaccharide antigens in patients identified with CVID is lost earlier than the antibody response to protein antigens, which may be preserved even in the face of profound hypogammaglobulinemia. In three patients who were followed prospectively, the Ig loss was progressive.


CONCLUSIONS
Absence of antibody response to polysaccharide antigens may be a universal finding in patients with CVID, whereas preservation of T cell-dependent protein antibody response may be seen.
Al-Herz
Waleed
W
Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Nemours Children's Clinic-Wilmington, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware 19899, USA.
McGeady
Stephen J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D017074:Common Variable Immunodeficiency / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial