title: Possible primary immunodeficiency presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms: Case report and minireview.
abstract: Primary immunodeficiency is a disease characterized by reduced levels of serum immunoglobulins and multiple clinical manifestations. Patients with primary immunodeficiency frequently present with gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, malabsorption and weight loss. The mainstay of treatment is replacement therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). In the current study, we report the case of a 23-year-old man with symptoms of chronic diarrhea, malabsorption and weight loss that had been apparent for two years. Subsequent to being diagnosed with possible primary immunodeficiency, the patient was treated with 30 mg/day oral prednisone for one month. The prednisone was then tapered weekly by 5 mg until withdrawal. Three months later, the patient's clinical symptoms disappeared and his quality of life improved. During the subsequent nine months follow-up, the patient was able to work without suffering any effects from his illness. The body weight of the patient increased and plasma albumin levels were normal. In conclusion, this study describes the case of a patient with primary immunodeficiency-related gastrointestinal symptoms who responded well to oral prednisone treatment.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Digestive Endoscopy and Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210011, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Honggang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhining
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Guozhong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Faming
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: follow-up; gastrointestinal symptoms; prednisone; primary immunodeficiency