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Leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) weakens the immune system due to a lack of CD18 protein in white blood cells, preventing them from efficiently traveling to the site of infection. LAD-1 is the most common type, and bone marrow transplants and antibiotics are common treatments. Symptoms include skin infections, slow wound healing, and periodontal disease.
Leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) is a genetic disorder of white blood cells, also known as leukocytes. It is an extremely rare condition that weakens the immune system. The white blood cells of a patient with LAD are typically unable or unable to produce enough CD18, a protein that helps blood move efficiently towards an infection in the body.
Normally functioning white blood cells or leukocytes will listen for a call from the body, sent through the blood vessels, when there is an infection. They will slowly begin traveling to the affected area, in a process known as chemotaxis, so they can help with the healing process. When a patient has leukocyte adhesion deficiency, the white blood cells get the message, but are unable to travel to the site of infection. This is because they lack the building blocks that allow them to attach to blood vessel walls and travel efficiently to the wound. As a result, the patient’s infection cannot heal properly.
The two main types of leukocyte adhesion deficiency are LAD-1 and LAD-2. There is also a third, less defined type known as LAD-3. Also known as the classic type, the LAD-1 type is the most common.
LAD-1 type leukocyte adhesion deficiency can be classified as moderate or severe. A moderate case involves a large drop in the CD18 protein in the body, which may not cause serious symptoms, but can still be fatal if not treated effectively. Severe LAD-1 is indicated by little or no amount of CD18 in the body and requires more urgent care to preserve life.
Patients with LAD-2 and LAD-3 types suffer from different types of leukocyte genetic mutations. Blood cells with LAD-2 have impaired travel function. In LAD-3, the most recently discovered subtype, leukocytes cannot be activated to travel through blood vessels.
Symptoms of WBC adhesion deficiency include constant skin infections, severe internal infections, candida, and wounds that are slow to heal. Some patients may even suffer from a severe case of periodontal disease. The disorder is most common among infants and young children.
LAD is usually treated with a bone marrow transplant, which helps restore normally functioning white blood cells in the body. Gene therapy can also be used to treat the condition. Antibiotics are also often prescribed to help fight the constant infections that most patients suffer from.
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