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Approach to the Patient With Recurrent Infections

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Abstract

Children with a history of recurrent or unusual infections present a diagnostic challenge. Differentiation between frequent infections caused by common risk factors, versus primary immune dysfunction should be based on a detailed history and physical examination and, if indicated, followed by appropriate laboratory studies. A high index of suspicion could lead to an early diagnosis and treatment of an underlying immune deficiency disease. This article presents to physicians an approach to the evaluation of children with recurrent infections. Important details from the history and physical examination, and an appropriate choice of screening laboratory test to be ordered in a given situation are discussed.

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Abbreviations

SCID:

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease

CVID:

Common variable immunodeficiency

CGD:

Chronic granulomatous disease

NEMO:

NF-kB essential modulator

XLP:

x-linked lymphoproliferative disease

NK:

Natural killer

WHIMS:

Warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, bacterial infections, and myelokathesis

HPV:

Human papilloma virus

IPEX:

Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, and enteropathy

FOXP3:

Forkhead box protein 3

APECED:

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis, ectodermal dystrophy syndrome

AIRE:

Autoimmune regulator gene

LAD-1:

Leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I

XLA:

X-linked agammaglobulinemia

ICF:

Immunodeficiency, centromeric region instability and facial anomalies

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  1. Division of Allergy/Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 219 Bryant Street, Buffalo, NY, 14222, USA

    Mark Ballow

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Ballow, M. Approach to the Patient With Recurrent Infections. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol 34, 129–140 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-007-8041-2

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