Recurrent multi-organism keratoconjunctivitis manifesting as a first presentation of common variable immune deficiency (CVID)

Abstract

Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia, impaired antibody production, and recurrent bacterial infections. Reports of ocular manifestations of CVID are rare. The authors discuss a patient with recurrent keratoconjunctivitis that presented as an initial manifestation of CVID. The diagnosis of CVID should be entertained where multiple recurrences of keratoconjunctivitis are unresponsive to antibiotic and steroid therapy and when other causes of immune deficiency have been excluded. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was used successfully as treatment and is required lifelong as prophylaxis against further episodes of keratoconjunctivitis as well as the other infectious and inflammatory complications of this primary immunodeficiency syndrome.