Common variable immunodeficiency associated enteropathy: a diagnostic enigma in developing countries

Authors

  • Muhammad Aftab Hassan Department of Immunology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Hussain Department of Immunology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Dawood Ahmad Department of Immunology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Omair Riaz Department of Immunology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Zain Arshad Department of Immunology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.9376

Keywords:

Common Variable Immunodeficiency, Enteropathy, Primary Immunodeficiency

Abstract

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent primary immunodeficiency disorder with different phenotypes and aetiologies. It is characterised by hypogammaglobulinaemia, defects in specific antibody response, erroneous activation and proliferation of T cells, leading to increased risk of recurrent infections. In CVID, "Variable" refers to the heterogeneity of clinical presentations, which include recurrent infections, autoimmunity, enteropathy, and increased risk of malignancies. This wide spectrum of disease manifestations and being a diagnosis of exclusion poses a diagnostic challenge. It is pertinent to mention that CVID along with associated complications is the commonest symptomatic primary antibody deficiency but is scarcely mentioned in local literature. The main aim of presenting this case is to impress upon the importance of systematic immunological workup in cases of suspected immunodeficiency to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Key words: Common Variable Immunodeficiency, Enteropathy, Primary Immunodeficiency.

Published

2024-05-24

How to Cite

Hassan, M. A., Muhammad Hussain, Dawood Ahmad, Muhammad Omair Riaz, & Muhammad Zain Arshad. (2024). Common variable immunodeficiency associated enteropathy: a diagnostic enigma in developing countries. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 74(6), 1175–1177. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.9376

Issue

Section

Case Report