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Published on: December 6, 2014
The Swiss National Registry for Primary Immunodeficiencies: report on the first 6 years' activity from 2008 to 2014
K Marschall1, M Hoernes1, M Bitzenhofer-Grüber2
1Division of Immunology, University Children's Hospital Zurich and Children's Research Centre, University Zurich, Zurich.
Insights
The Swiss National Registry for Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (PID) tracks 348 patients, revealing antibody disorders are most common. Significant diagnostic delays highlight a need for earlier detection in PID care.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Clinical Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- The Swiss National Registry for Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (PID) was established in 2008.
- It operates as a nationwide network for PID patient care, linked to the European PID database.
- The registry collects anonymized clinical and genetic data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the initial findings and patient demographics of the Swiss PID registry.
- To analyze the prevalence and distribution of different PID categories in Switzerland.
- To identify diagnostic delays in PID patients.
Main Methods:
- Data collection from university medical centers, teaching hospitals, and medical institutions nationwide.
- Anonymized clinical and genetic information on PID patients.
- Comparison with European PID cohort data.
Main Results:
- 348 PID patients registered, with an estimated minimal prevalence of 4.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.
- 'Predominantly antibody disorders' (62%) are the most common PID category, followed by 'phagocytic disorders' (9%).
- Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disorder (CVID) is the most prevalent within antibody disorders (45%), and Chronic Granulomatous Disease within phagocytic disorders (87%). Median diagnostic delay is 6 years for CVID.
Conclusions:
- The Swiss PID registry provides valuable epidemiological data comparable to European cohorts.
- Predominantly antibody disorders, particularly CVID, are highly prevalent.
- Significant diagnostic delays underscore the need for improved and earlier PID diagnosis and management.
Abstract:
The Swiss National Registry for Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (PID) was established in 2008, constituting a nationwide network of paediatric and adult departments involved in the care of patients with PID at university medical centres, affiliated teaching hospitals and medical institutions. The registry collects anonymized clinical and genetic information on PID patients and is set up within the framework of the European database for PID, run by the European Society of Immunodeficiency Diseases. To date, a total of 348 patients are registered in Switzerland, indicating an estimated minimal prevalence of 4·2 patients per 100 000 inhabitants. Distribution of different PID categories, age and gender are similar to the European cohort of currently 19 091 registered patients: 'predominantly antibody disorders' are the most common diseases observed (n = 217/348, 62%), followed by 'phagocytic disorders' (n = 31/348, 9%). As expected, 'predominantly antibody disorders' are more prevalent in adults than in children (78 versus 31%). Within this category, 'common variable immunodeficiency disorder' (CVID) is the most prevalent PID (n = 98/217, 45%), followed by 'other hypogammaglobulinaemias' (i.e. a group of non-classified hypogammaglobulinaemias) (n = 54/217, 25%). Among 'phagocytic disorders', 'chronic granulomatous disease' is the most prevalent PID (n = 27/31, 87%). The diagnostic delay between onset of symptoms and diagnosis is high, with a median of 6 years for CVID and more than 3 years for 'other hypogammaglobulinaemias'.
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