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Agammaglobulinemia - Treatment

Alternative Names

Bruton's agammaglobulinemia; X-linked agammaglobulinemia

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to reduce the number and severity of infections as well as to provide genetic counseling to affected families.

Intravenous infusions of immunoglobulins (IVIG) help boost the immune system by providing the body with the antibodies that are decreased or missing. Routine treatment with IVIG is central to the treatment of this disorder.

Antibiotics are frequently necessary for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Expectations (prognosis):

Treatment with immune globulins has improved the health of people with agammaglobulinemia. Without treatment, most severe infections are fatal.

Complications:

Arthritis
Autoimmune disorders
Chronic sinus or pulmonary disease
Eczema
Intestinal malabsorption syndromes

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you or your child has experienced frequent infections.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have a family history of agammaglobulinemia or other immunodeficiency disorder and you are planning to have children -- ask the provider about genetic counseling.

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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