RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Secondary antibody deficiency – causes and approach to diagnosis
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 571
OP 576
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.16-6-571
VO 16
IS 6
A1 Sapna Srivastava
A1 Philip Wood
YR 2016
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/16/6/571.abstract
AB Antibody deficiencies can occur in the context of primary disorders due to inherited genetic defects; however, secondary immune disorders are far more prevalent and can be caused by various diseases and their treatment, certain medications and surgical procedures. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing infections, morbidity and mortality in primary antibody deficiencies but secondary antibody deficiencies are in general poorly defined and there are no guidelines for the management of patients with this condition. Clinical decisions are based on experience from primary antibody deficiencies. Both primary and secondary antibody deficiencies can be associated with infections, immune dysregulation and end-organ damage, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is important to diagnose and treat these patients promptly to minimise adverse effects and improve quality of life. We focus on secondary antibody deficiency and describe the causes, diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.