Uncommon presentations of common variable immunodeficiency

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by hypogammaglobulinaemia, leading to recurrent infections.
• CVID impairs B lymphocyte differentiation, increasing susceptibility to bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal pathogens.
• Patients with CVID have a higher risk of developing lymphoid and gastrointestinal malignancies.

Observation:

• This study presents two unique cases of CVID complications.
• Case 1: A patient with Mycobacterium avium complex-intracellular infection and ovarian cancer.
• Case 2: A patient with group B Streptococcus empyema and acute myeloid leukemia.

Findings:

• CVID-induced hypogammaglobulinaemia can manifest as rare infectious and oncological conditions.
• The presented cases illustrate the diverse and severe potential outcomes of CVID.
• Rare infections and malignancies underscore the broad clinical spectrum of CVID.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of these rare complications is crucial for timely diagnosis in CVID patients.
• Prompt identification and management of these conditions are vital for improving patient outcomes.
• Understanding the link between CVID and rare comorbidities can guide clinical practice and research.