Immunoglobulin deficiency is a medical condition where low levels of immunoglobulins make it difficult for the body to fight off diseases. It can be hereditary or acquired, and is diagnosed through blood tests. Treatment depends on the cause and may include bone marrow transplants or immune serum injections. Patients are advised to take precautions to avoid getting sick.
An immunoglobulin deficiency is a medical condition characterized by low levels of immunoglobulins. There are a number of immunoglobulins in the body, with immunoglobulins A, D, E, G and M being among the most common and most important. When people don’t have adequate supplies of immunoglobulins, they are less able to fight off disease and may be prone to getting sick. They may also be more vulnerable to infections that individuals with healthy immune systems could easily fight off.
Immunoglobulins are part of the body’s humoral immunity. They are produced by B lymphocytes and are capable of carrying antibodies that will bind to antigens. Antibodies can neutralize antigens by preventing them from binding to cells in the body, and they can also act to tag infectious material so it can be destroyed by the immune system. People deficient in immunoglobulin have less effective humoral immunity, although their cellular immunity remains intact.
Some cases of immunoglobulin deficiency are hereditary. There are a number of genetic conditions involving B lymphocytes that can limit the number of immunoglobulins produced. Other patients have acquired immunoglobulin deficiency, which may be secondary or primary. Primary deficiencies are caused by diseases that directly affect B cells, while secondary deficiencies emerge as part of an overall disease process.
Patients can be diagnosed with immunoglobulin deficiency with a blood test to count the levels of immunoglobulins in the blood. Some patients are symptomatic and can only be diagnosed during routine blood tests, such as blood donation screening done at blood banks. Other patients have clear immune issues leading to a workup, during which you will notice the low levels of immunoglobulins in your blood.
Treatments for immunoglobulin deficiency vary depending on the cause. In a secondary deficiency, treatment of the underlying disease should resolve the problem. With primary deficiencies, treating the condition that is damaging B cells can increase immunoglobulin levels. Treatments may include bone marrow transplants, as well as immune serum injections that introduce donor immunoglobulin into the patient’s body.
As long as immunoglobulin levels remain low, patients are at a higher risk of getting sick. Patients are usually advised to exercise precautions, including avoiding environments where people are sick with contagious diseases. The deficiency will also be noted in the patient’s medical record so that healthcare professionals are aware of the patient’s circumstances and know how to take extra precautions with that patient.
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