[Common variable hypogammaglobulinemia. A rare cause of chronic diarrhea. A case]

In patients with chronic diarrhoea investigations exceptionally reveal a common variable hypogammaglobulinaemia. A 42-year old man presenting with chronic bronchitis and asymptomatic post-hepatitis B cirrhosis was hospitalized for evaluation of a chronic diarrhoea accompanied by altered general condition. Investigations detected global hypogammaglobulinaemia, diffuse lymphoid hyperplasia of the small bowel, and lambliasis. Treatment with gammaglobulins and antibiotics resulted in disappearance of symptoms. This was a rare disease due to a primary disorder where global hypogammaglobulinaemia was associated with a normal number of circulating B-cells. Prognosis was cautious in view of the risk of malignant proliferation.