title: Secondary antibody deficiency.
abstract: Secondary antibody deficiencies are defined by a quantitative or qualitative decrease in antibodies that occur most commonly as a consequence of renal or gastrointestinal immunoglobulin loss, hematological malignancies and corticosteroid, immunosuppressive or anticonvulsant medications. Patients with hematological malignancies or requiring immunosuppressive medications are known to be at increased risk of infection, but few studies directly address this relationship in the context of antibody deficiency. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing infections in primary and some secondary antibody deficiencies. The commonly encountered causes of secondary antibody deficiencies and their association with infection-related morbidity and mortality are discussed. Recommendations are made for screening and clinical management of those at risk.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Department, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Sai S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Duraisingham
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Buckland
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grigoriadou
authors.forename: Hilary J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Longhurst
mesh_terms: D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000379:methods*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007239:Infections / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents