Pollen counts are updated daily from February 15 to November 15.
Last Updated:
Our immune system defends the body against infection. But when immune function isn’t working properly, the body struggles to fight back.
Currently, there are over 300 known disorders that impact the immune system, collectively known as Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDDs). PIDDs can be especially tricky to diagnose because they’re rare and often mimic other conditions such as allergies, asthma, eczema and more.
For this reason, getting evaluated by a board-certified allergist or immunologist is extremely helpful for reaching a diagnosis and developing an effective treatment plan. At Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center, we can help identify your specific PIDD and create a custom care plan to strengthen your immune defenses.
Contents
Patients with Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PIDD) are highly susceptible to infection because their immune systems are either not working properly or are missing key functions.
PIDDs include a wide range of disorders that affect normal immune function. Due to genetic defects, the effectiveness of certain proteins and antibodies in the immune system fail. Because PIDDs are typically genetically passed down, they’re not contagious. Often PIDDs are identified in infancy, though others may emerge in adulthood.
A common red flag of a PIDD is recurring, severe and difficult to treat infections, including sinus, throat, ear, lungs, brain, skin, urinary tract, or gastrointestinal infections.
PIDDs are characterized by recurring, severe and difficult to treat infections, including bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, sinusitis, meningitis, and skin infections. If you have a family history of PIDD, you should be especially attentive to symptoms including:
There many known types of PIDDs, all of which impact immune function. Many of these disorders are extremely rare, while others occur more frequently. Here are some types of PIDDs you should know about.
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) occurs when white blood cells are unable to fight off certain bacteria and fungi. Due to gene mutations, these cells can’t produce hydrogen peroxide to eliminate infection.
Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) involves having low antibody levels, causing high susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections. Antibodies such as IgG, IgM and IgA are typically impacted.
Specific/selective antibody deficiency occurs when the body produces enough IgG, but not the specific antibodies that protect against bacteria and viruses. It’s characterized by a lack of responsiveness to respiratory infections.
Selective IgA deficiency involves the absence of IgA in the body. It’s the most common PIDD today. Patients who lack IgA are prone to infections in the mouth and sinuses, lungs and digestive tract.
X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), also known as Bruton’s, arises from an error in the gene called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). As a result, the body doesn’t have healthy B cells to produce antibodies for defending against infection. Strep and staph infections are especially common with Bruton’s.
DiGeorge Syndrome is characterized by low production of T cells, which help build a body’s autoimmunity. This occurs due to abnormal cell and tissue development, impacting the thymus where T cells learn how to fight off infection. DiGeorge Syndrome impacts other areas of the body too, including facial traits, thyroid function, and heart defects.
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is an extremely serious PIDD that arises in newborns due to poorly developed T cells. Testing for SCID is typically part of the newborn screening panel. Often newborns will require stem cell transplant within months in order to survive.
Diagnosing PIDDs can be difficult because there are hundreds of types, many of which are rare. It’s common for non-specialists to confuse symptoms with allergies or asthma, leading to a misdiagnosis.
That’s why it’s essential to schedule an appointment with an expert allergist or immunologist who can correctly identify a PIDD and ensure you get the care you need. Early diagnosis of PIDD is ideal, as treatment can potentially slow down the disorder and prevent infections in the in the future.
To diagnose a PIDD, an immunologist will take a thorough look at your medical history, including the frequency and severity of past infections. In addition, you’ll be asked about your family’s health history, such as any PIDDs or deaths by unexplained illness.
If a PIDD is suspected, the doctor will perform immune function testing. This typically involves a blood test to check your immunoglobulin levels, white blood cell counts, and responses to previous vaccinations.
Depending on the suspected PIDD, a panel of specific tests will be ordered to pinpoint the diagnosis. Genetic tests may also be used to confirm the presence of gene mutations.
Once diagnosed with PIDD, your allergist or immunologist will create a personalized care plan, including treatments to improve immune function and prevent infection, including:
To fight current infections, a doctor may prescribe long-term antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals or other timely medications. General strategies to prevent infections will also be discussed.
Reach out to Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center to learn more about our treatment options and care plans for those with PIDD.
Most cases of PIDD are hereditary. Because genetic errors or mutations are responsible for PIDD, it’s usually inherited from the genes of one or both parents.
No, PIDD can’t be prevented as it’s a genetic disorder. However, patients with PIDD can try to prevent getting infections by avoiding exposure and undergoing therapies to improve immune function.
Allergies and immunodeficiency disorders may present similar symptoms. However, the body’s response is fundamentally different. With allergies, your immune system overreacts to a harmless substance, causing symptoms. With immunodeficiency, your immune function is absent or not working properly due to genetic defects. This leaves your body vulnerable to infection, leading to similar symptoms as allergies. Links between allergies and immunodeficiency are currently being studied. It’s possible for patients to experience allergy symptoms that are actually an underlying immunodeficiency disorder. However, most allergies aren’t the result of an immunodeficiency.