COMMON VARIABLE IMMUNODEFICIENCY (CVID): CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is an immunodeficiency disease characterized by diminished ability to produce immunoglobulins. CVID has an estimated incidence of 1:10.000 to 1:200.000 (male:female 1:1) and usually presents in the second and third decade, although it also has a peak of incidence in childhood. The exact pathophysiology remains unclear. CVID can be associated with autoimmune, granulomatous and gastrointestinal diseases and patients have a predisposition to malignancies (especially non-Hodgkin lymphoma). Since different organ systems can be affected, all clinicians need to be aware of this entity, especially when confronted with patients with recurrent infections and/or multiple autoimmune diseases.

Keywords:

• primary immunodeficiency disease – immunoglobulins – autoimmune disease – polyclonal lymphocytic infiltration