Common variable immunodeficiency: experience in Puerto Rico.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and an increased susceptibility to infections. The degree and the type of deficiency of serum immunoglobulins, as well as, the clinical course vary from patient to patient, hence the term "variable". The aim of this report is to describe the clinical characteristics and the response to gammaglobulin therapy of a group of patients with CVI followed at the University Hospital of the Puerto Rico Medical Center. To our knowledge, no data on primary immunodeficiencies in Puerto Rico has been reported in the literature. The study group exhibits specific characteristics as compared to other reported series.