[Sensible diagnosis in suspected immune deficiency]

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Clinical diagnostics

Context:

• Recurrent infections pose diagnostic challenges for physicians.
• A clear understanding of immune responses is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Purpose:

• To provide a structured diagnostic approach for patients with a propensity for infections.
• To outline the utility of various diagnostic tests for assessing immune status.

Summary:

• The paper presents a step-by-step diagnostic scheme for evaluating patients with frequent infections.
• Initial assessment includes clinical examination, routine labs, and simple tests like Mérieux multitest and antibody titers.
• Advanced tests such as flow cytometry and in vitro functional assays are reserved for suspected severe immunodeficiency.

Impact:

• Aids physicians in the rational and efficient diagnosis of immune deficiencies.
• Facilitates timely identification and management of patients with recurrent infections.
• Guides the appropriate use of diagnostic resources based on clinical suspicion and initial findings.