Common variable immunodeficiency: diagnosis and management

Abstract

Objective: Common variable immunodeficiency is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by humoral immunodeficiency, recurrent bacterial infections, and a variety of immunologic abnormalities. The goal of this article is to review the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of common variable immunodeficiency.

Data sources: References are limited to the English language literature. Sources include computerized databases and bibliographies of recent articles and books.

Study selection: References that made important contributions to our understanding of the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease were selected for inclusion in this review.

Results and conclusion: Common variable immunodeficiency is an idiopathic state of immune dysregulation that results in impaired antibody synthesis and the development of recurrent bacterial infections. This syndrome is also associated with a variety of autoimmune and neoplastic disorders. Effective management of these patients includes intravenous immunoglobulin replacement, vigorous treatment of infections, and readiness to promptly evaluate and treat unusual autoimmune and neoplastic complications should they appear.