[Common variable immunodeficiency: a 7 cases reported].

BACKGROUND

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is an immune defect characterized by primary hypogammaglobulinemia. The most clinical manifestations are recurrent infection of respiratory tract.

AIM: We reported seven cases of DICV which showed

METHODS

We reported seven cases of CVID between 1994 and 2004, included six women and one man.

RESULTS

The mean age at the first clinical symptoms is 23 years and the mean age at diagnosis is 38. Six patients presented recurrent bacterial infection particularly of the upper and the lower respiratory tract, these infections can lead to chronic diseases such as bronchiectasis. Two patients had chronic diarrhea caused by nodular lymphoid hyperplasia, we showed two cases of granulomatous: spleen tuberculosis and pulmonary sarcoidosis. The diagnostic was confirmed by protein electrophoresis and serum levels of immunoglobulin. All patients received treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, with a decrease in frequency and severity of infection episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Protein electrophoresis must be done in a young adult with recurrent low respiratory tract infections and/or diffuse bronchectasis.