NIH conference. New insights into common variable immunodeficiency.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) is a heterogenous immunodeficiency syndrome characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia, recurrent bacterial infections, and various immunologic abnormalities. In addition to recurrent infections, patients with this syndrome also have an increased incidence of autoimmune disease and malignancy. Because the spectrum of associated diseases is broad, patients with CVI are seen by various medical specialists. This review discusses the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of CVI.