[Recurrent bronchopulmonary infections due to humoral immune deficiency]

Abstract

Between 1974 and 1978 11 patients were detected, in a pneumology department. They were classified as follows: stage I, with relatively benign bronchial infections; 5 patients were included in this group, all of them made uneventful recoveries, without sequellae; stage II was characterised by more severe infections, that required repeated hospitalisation. Five more patients were included in this group. The patients in these two stages had either selective IgA deficiencies or combined (IgA and IgM) deficiencies. In stage III the disease had a severe evolution, characterised by extensive pulmonary tissue destruction and permanent suppuration. One patient had agammaglobulinemia in which the deficiency of serum and secretory bronchial immunoglobulins was complete. Although immunoglobulins represent only a part of the defense mechanisms of the respiratory pathways, their dosage is however recommended in all cases in which anamnesis, symptomatology or the evolution of the disease suggest the possibility of selective or total immunoglobulin deficiencies.