Description

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a rare but serious condition associated with severely impaired immune defenses. It comprises about 50% of SCID cases.


 

Inheritance: X-linked (almost all patients are males)

 

Gene Mutation: various defects IL2RG (affects the IL-2 receptor gamma gene)

 

Clinical features:

(1) failure to thrive, often with a short stature for age

(2) diaper and/or oral Candidiasis

(3) absence of both tonsils

(4) absence of lymph nodes and the thymus

(5) recurrent infections that respond poorly to therapy

(6) serious infections following administration of live-virus vaccines or non-irradiated blood products

(7) Pneumocystis carinii or other opportunistic infections

(8) variable autoimmune disorders (skin rash, malabsorption with diarrhea, other)

 

Laboratory findings:

(1) markedly decreased T and NK lymphocytes (absent cellular immunity)

(2) B lymphocytes present but dysfunctional (impaired humoral immunity)

(3) hypogammaglobulinemia (serum IgG is normal at birth but later declines as maternal antibody disappears)

 

Long-term survival depends on a bone marrow transplant in early infancy.

 


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