BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuImmunodeficiency disordersImmunosuppression; Immunodepressed - immunodeficiency; Immunosuppressed - immunodeficiency; Hypogammaglobulinemia - immunodeficiency; Agammaglobulinemia - immunodeficiencyImmunodeficiency disorders occur when the body's immune response is reduced or absent.Immune responseThe immune response is how your body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign and harmful....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The immune system is made up of lymphoid tissue in the body, which includes:Bone marrow Lymph nodes Parts of the spleen and gastrointestinal tract Thymus Tonsils Proteins and cells in the blood are also part of the immune system.The immune system helps protect the body from harmful substances called antigens. Examples of antigens include bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells, and foreign blood or tissues from another person or species.AntigensAn antigen is any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it. This means your immune system does not recognize the su...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ToxinsToxins are substances created by plants and animals that are poisonous (toxic) to humans. Toxins may also include some medicines that are helpful in...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CancerCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article No audio descriptionWith audio descriptionRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersWhen the immune system detects an antigen, it responds by producing proteins called antibodies that destroy the harmful substances. The immune system response also involves a process called phagocytosis. During this process, certain white blood cells swallow and destroy bacteria and other foreign substances. Proteins called complement help with this process. The immune system also activates cells known as T cells, which interact with cells known as B cells.AntibodiesAn antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include micr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article No audio descriptionWith audio descriptionRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersImmunodeficiency disorders may affect any part of the immune system. Most often, these conditions occur when special white blood cells called T or B lymphocytes (or both) do not function normally or your body does not produce enough antibodies.Inherited immunodeficiency disorders that affect B cells include:Hypogammaglobulinemia, which usually leads to respiratory and gastrointestinal infections RespiratoryThe words "respiratory" and "respiration" refer to the lungs and breathing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Agammaglobulinemia, which results in severe infections early in life, and is often deadly AgammaglobulinemiaAgammaglobulinemia is an inherited disorder in which a person has very low levels of protective immune system proteins called immunoglobulins. Immun...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inherited immunodeficiency disorders that affect T cells may cause repeated Candida (yeast) infections. Inherited combined immunodeficiency affects both T cells and B cells. It may be deadly within the first year of life if it isn't treated early.People are said to be immunosuppressed when they have an immunodeficiency disorder due to medicines that weaken the immune system. Examples include:Corticosteroids Drugs used to treat health problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain skin conditions Chemotherapy given to treat cancerAcquired immunodeficiency may be a complication of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malnutrition (especially if the person does not eat enough protein). Many cancers may also cause immunodeficiency.HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article People who have had their spleen removed have an acquired immunodeficiency, and are at higher risk for infection by certain bacteria that the spleen would normally help fight. People with diabetes are also at higher risk for certain infections.Spleen removedSpleen removal is surgery to remove a diseased or damaged spleen. This surgery is called splenectomy. The spleen is in the upper part of the belly, ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article As you get older, the immune system becomes less effective. Immune system tissues (especially lymphoid tissue such as the thymus) shrink, and the number and activity of white blood cells drop.The following conditions and diseases can lead to an immunodeficiency disorder:Ataxia-telangiectasia Ataxia-telangiectasiaAtaxia-telangiectasia is a rare childhood disease. It affects the brain and other parts of the body. Ataxia refers to uncoordinated movements, such ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complement deficiencies DiGeorge syndrome Hypogammaglobulinemia Job syndrome Job syndromeHyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome is a rare, genetic disease. It causes problems with the skin, sinuses, lungs, bones, and teeth.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Leukocyte adhesion defects Agammaglobulinemia Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome Symptoms Your health care provider might think you have an immunodeficiency disorder if you have:Infections that keep coming back or do not go away Severe infection from bacteria or other germs that do not usually cause severe infection Other signs include:Poor response to treatment for infections Delayed or incomplete recovery from illness Certain types of cancers (such as Kaposi sarcoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma) Certain infections (including some forms of pneumonia or repeated yeast infections) Symptoms depend on the disorder. For example, those with decreased levels of IgA combined with low levels of certain IgG subclasses are likely to have problems involving the lungs, sinuses, ears, throat, and digestive tract.Decreased levels of IgASelective deficiency of IgA is the most common immune deficiency disorder. People with this disorder have a low or absent level of a blood protein c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Tests used to help diagnose an immunodeficiency disorder may include:Complement levels in the blood, or other tests to measure substances released by the immune system HIV test Immunoglobulin levels in the blood Protein electrophoresis (blood or urine) BloodThis lab test measures the types of protein in the fluid (serum) part of a blood sample. This fluid is called serum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UrineThe urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) test is used to estimate how much of certain proteins are in the urine.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article T (thymus derived) lymphocyte count T (thymus derived) lymphocyte countA T-cell count measures the number of T cells in the blood. Your health care provider may order this test if you have signs of a weak immune system,...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article White blood cell countWhite blood cell countA WBC count is a blood test to measure the number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. It is a part of a complete blood count (CBC). WBCs are a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The goal of treatment is to prevent infections and treat any disease and infections that do develop.If you have a weakened immune system, you should avoid contact with persons who have infections or contagious disorders. You may have to avoid people who have been vaccinated with live virus vaccines within the past 2 weeks.If you develop an infection, your provider will treat you aggressively. This may involve long-term use of antibiotic or antifungal drugs to prevent infections from coming back.Interferon is used to treat viral infections and some types of cancer. It is a medicine that makes the immune system work better.Persons with HIV/AIDS may take combinations of drugs to reduce the amount of HIV in their immune systems and improve their immunity.People who are going to have a planned spleen removal should be vaccinated 2 weeks before the surgery against bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae. People who haven't been previously vaccinated or have no known immunity should also receive the MMR, and chicken pox vaccines. In addition, it is also recommended that people get the DTaP vaccine series or a booster shot as needed.MMRAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/h...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chicken poxAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Chickenpox Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DTaPAll content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) DTaP vaccine information statement (VIS) -- www....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article People who will undergo cancer chemotherapy should get inactivated vaccines 2 weeks prior to the initiation of therapy. They should receive live vaccines 4 weeks prior to the initiation of therapy.Bone marrow transplants may be used to treat certain immunodeficiency conditions.Bone marrow transplantsA bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft, fatt...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Passive immunity (receiving antibodies produced by another person or animal) may sometimes be recommended to prevent illness after you have been exposed to certain bacteria or viruses.People with low or absent levels of certain immunoglobulins may be helped with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), given through a vein. Outlook (Prognosis) Some immunodeficiency disorders are mild and cause illness from time to time. Others are severe and may be fatal. Immunosuppression caused by medicines often goes away once the medicine is stopped. Possible Complications Complications of immunodeficiency disorders may include:Frequent or ongoing illness Increased risk for certain cancers or tumors Increased risk for infection When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if you are on chemotherapy or corticosteroids and you develop: A fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher A cough with shortness of breath Stomach pain Other new symptoms Go to the emergency room or call your local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a stiff neck and headache with the fever.Contact your provider if you have repeated yeast infections or oral thrush.ThrushThrush is a yeast infection of the tongue and lining of the mouth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Prevention There is no known way to prevent inherited immunodeficiency disorders. If you have a family history of immunodeficiency disorders, you might want to seek genetic counseling.Practicing safer sex and avoiding the sharing of body fluids may help prevent HIV/AIDS. Ask your provider if a medicine called Truvada is right for you to prevent HIV infection.Practicing safer sexSafe sex means taking steps before and during sex that can prevent you from getting an infection, or from giving an infection to your partner....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Good nutrition may prevent acquired immunodeficiency caused by malnutrition.Open ReferencesReferencesAbbas AK, Lichtman AH, Pillai S. Primary and acquired immunodeficiencies. In: Abbas AK, Lichtman AH, Pillai S, eds. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 21.Bonanni P, Grazzini M, Niccolai G, et al. Recommended vaccinations for asplenic and hyposplenic adult patients. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2017;13(2):359-368. PMID: 27929751 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27929751/.Cunningham-Rundles C. Primary immunodeficiency diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 236.AllVideoImagesTogAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationRelated Information Immune response(Special Topic)Antigen(Special Topic)Toxins(Special Topic)Antibody(Special Topic)Complement(Medical Test)Incidence(Special Topic)Respiratory(Special Topic)Agammaglobulinemia(Condition)Autoimmune disorders(Condition)Transplant rejection(Condition) Review Date: 1/23/2022 Reviewed By: Stuart I. Henochowicz, MD, FACP, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Immunodeficiency disordersImmunosuppression; Immunodepressed - immunodeficiency; Immunosuppressed - immunodeficiency; Hypogammaglobulinemia - immunodeficiency; Agammaglobulinemia - immunodeficiencyImmunodeficiency disorders occur when the body's immune response is reduced or absent.Immune responseThe immune response is how your body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign and harmful....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The immune system is made up of lymphoid tissue in the body, which includes:Bone marrow Lymph nodes Parts of the spleen and gastrointestinal tract Thymus Tonsils Proteins and cells in the blood are also part of the immune system.The immune system helps protect the body from harmful substances called antigens. Examples of antigens include bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells, and foreign blood or tissues from another person or species.AntigensAn antigen is any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it. This means your immune system does not recognize the su...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ToxinsToxins are substances created by plants and animals that are poisonous (toxic) to humans. Toxins may also include some medicines that are helpful in...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CancerCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article No audio descriptionWith audio descriptionRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersWhen the immune system detects an antigen, it responds by producing proteins called antibodies that destroy the harmful substances. The immune system response also involves a process called phagocytosis. During this process, certain white blood cells swallow and destroy bacteria and other foreign substances. Proteins called complement help with this process. The immune system also activates cells known as T cells, which interact with cells known as B cells.AntibodiesAn antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include micr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article No audio descriptionWith audio descriptionRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersImmunodeficiency disorders may affect any part of the immune system. Most often, these conditions occur when special white blood cells called T or B lymphocytes (or both) do not function normally or your body does not produce enough antibodies.Inherited immunodeficiency disorders that affect B cells include:Hypogammaglobulinemia, which usually leads to respiratory and gastrointestinal infections RespiratoryThe words "respiratory" and "respiration" refer to the lungs and breathing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Agammaglobulinemia, which results in severe infections early in life, and is often deadly AgammaglobulinemiaAgammaglobulinemia is an inherited disorder in which a person has very low levels of protective immune system proteins called immunoglobulins. Immun...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inherited immunodeficiency disorders that affect T cells may cause repeated Candida (yeast) infections. Inherited combined immunodeficiency affects both T cells and B cells. It may be deadly within the first year of life if it isn't treated early.People are said to be immunosuppressed when they have an immunodeficiency disorder due to medicines that weaken the immune system. Examples include:Corticosteroids Drugs used to treat health problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain skin conditions Chemotherapy given to treat cancerAcquired immunodeficiency may be a complication of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malnutrition (especially if the person does not eat enough protein). Many cancers may also cause immunodeficiency.HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article People who have had their spleen removed have an acquired immunodeficiency, and are at higher risk for infection by certain bacteria that the spleen would normally help fight. People with diabetes are also at higher risk for certain infections.Spleen removedSpleen removal is surgery to remove a diseased or damaged spleen. This surgery is called splenectomy. The spleen is in the upper part of the belly, ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article As you get older, the immune system becomes less effective. Immune system tissues (especially lymphoid tissue such as the thymus) shrink, and the number and activity of white blood cells drop.The following conditions and diseases can lead to an immunodeficiency disorder:Ataxia-telangiectasia Ataxia-telangiectasiaAtaxia-telangiectasia is a rare childhood disease. It affects the brain and other parts of the body. Ataxia refers to uncoordinated movements, such ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complement deficiencies DiGeorge syndrome Hypogammaglobulinemia Job syndrome Job syndromeHyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome is a rare, genetic disease. It causes problems with the skin, sinuses, lungs, bones, and teeth.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Leukocyte adhesion defects Agammaglobulinemia Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome Symptoms Your health care provider might think you have an immunodeficiency disorder if you have:Infections that keep coming back or do not go away Severe infection from bacteria or other germs that do not usually cause severe infection Other signs include:Poor response to treatment for infections Delayed or incomplete recovery from illness Certain types of cancers (such as Kaposi sarcoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma) Certain infections (including some forms of pneumonia or repeated yeast infections) Symptoms depend on the disorder. For example, those with decreased levels of IgA combined with low levels of certain IgG subclasses are likely to have problems involving the lungs, sinuses, ears, throat, and digestive tract.Decreased levels of IgASelective deficiency of IgA is the most common immune deficiency disorder. People with this disorder have a low or absent level of a blood protein c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Tests used to help diagnose an immunodeficiency disorder may include:Complement levels in the blood, or other tests to measure substances released by the immune system HIV test Immunoglobulin levels in the blood Protein electrophoresis (blood or urine) BloodThis lab test measures the types of protein in the fluid (serum) part of a blood sample. This fluid is called serum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UrineThe urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) test is used to estimate how much of certain proteins are in the urine.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article T (thymus derived) lymphocyte count T (thymus derived) lymphocyte countA T-cell count measures the number of T cells in the blood. Your health care provider may order this test if you have signs of a weak immune system,...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article White blood cell countWhite blood cell countA WBC count is a blood test to measure the number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. It is a part of a complete blood count (CBC). WBCs are a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The goal of treatment is to prevent infections and treat any disease and infections that do develop.If you have a weakened immune system, you should avoid contact with persons who have infections or contagious disorders. You may have to avoid people who have been vaccinated with live virus vaccines within the past 2 weeks.If you develop an infection, your provider will treat you aggressively. This may involve long-term use of antibiotic or antifungal drugs to prevent infections from coming back.Interferon is used to treat viral infections and some types of cancer. It is a medicine that makes the immune system work better.Persons with HIV/AIDS may take combinations of drugs to reduce the amount of HIV in their immune systems and improve their immunity.People who are going to have a planned spleen removal should be vaccinated 2 weeks before the surgery against bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae. People who haven't been previously vaccinated or have no known immunity should also receive the MMR, and chicken pox vaccines. In addition, it is also recommended that people get the DTaP vaccine series or a booster shot as needed.MMRAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/h...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chicken poxAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Chickenpox Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DTaPAll content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) DTaP vaccine information statement (VIS) -- www....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article People who will undergo cancer chemotherapy should get inactivated vaccines 2 weeks prior to the initiation of therapy. They should receive live vaccines 4 weeks prior to the initiation of therapy.Bone marrow transplants may be used to treat certain immunodeficiency conditions.Bone marrow transplantsA bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft, fatt...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Passive immunity (receiving antibodies produced by another person or animal) may sometimes be recommended to prevent illness after you have been exposed to certain bacteria or viruses.People with low or absent levels of certain immunoglobulins may be helped with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), given through a vein. Outlook (Prognosis) Some immunodeficiency disorders are mild and cause illness from time to time. Others are severe and may be fatal. Immunosuppression caused by medicines often goes away once the medicine is stopped. Possible Complications Complications of immunodeficiency disorders may include:Frequent or ongoing illness Increased risk for certain cancers or tumors Increased risk for infection When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if you are on chemotherapy or corticosteroids and you develop: A fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher A cough with shortness of breath Stomach pain Other new symptoms Go to the emergency room or call your local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a stiff neck and headache with the fever.Contact your provider if you have repeated yeast infections or oral thrush.ThrushThrush is a yeast infection of the tongue and lining of the mouth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Prevention There is no known way to prevent inherited immunodeficiency disorders. If you have a family history of immunodeficiency disorders, you might want to seek genetic counseling.Practicing safer sex and avoiding the sharing of body fluids may help prevent HIV/AIDS. Ask your provider if a medicine called Truvada is right for you to prevent HIV infection.Practicing safer sexSafe sex means taking steps before and during sex that can prevent you from getting an infection, or from giving an infection to your partner....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Good nutrition may prevent acquired immunodeficiency caused by malnutrition.Open ReferencesReferencesAbbas AK, Lichtman AH, Pillai S. Primary and acquired immunodeficiencies. In: Abbas AK, Lichtman AH, Pillai S, eds. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 21.Bonanni P, Grazzini M, Niccolai G, et al. Recommended vaccinations for asplenic and hyposplenic adult patients. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2017;13(2):359-368. PMID: 27929751 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27929751/.Cunningham-Rundles C. Primary immunodeficiency diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 236.