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Agammaglobulinemia - Symptom

Alternative Names

Bruton's agammaglobulinemia; X-linked agammaglobulinemia

Symptoms:

The person may have a family history of agammaglobulinemia (or other immune disorder).

Symptoms include frequent episodes of:

Bronchitis
Chronic diarrhea
Conjunctivitis
Other respiratory infections
Pneumonia
Sinusitis
Skin infections

Infections typically appear in the first 4 years of life.

Signs and tests:

The disorder is confirmed by laboratory measurement of blood immunoglobulins. Tests include:

Flow cytometry to measure circulating B lymphocytes
IgA and IgM
IgG
Immunoelectrophoresis - serum
Quantitative immunoglobulins (usually measured by nephelometry)

Antibodies

Reviewed last on: 5/6/2008
Stuart I. Henochowicz, MD, FACP, Associate CLinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Azar AE. Evaluation of the adult with suspected immunodificiency. Am J Med. 2007;120(9):764-8.

Bonilla FA. Update on primary immunodeficiency diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006;117(2 Suppl Mini-Primer):S435-41.

Morimoto Y. Immunodeficiency overview. Prim Care. 2008;35(1):159-73,viii.

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