<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Contents</span></span></strong></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Causes</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Symptoms</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Exams and Tests</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Treatment</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Outlook (Prognosis)</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Possible Complications</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">When to Contact a Medical Professional</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Prevention</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Agammaglobulinemia is an inherited disorder in which a person has very low levels of protective immune system proteins called immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulins are a type of&nbsp;antibody. Low levels of these antibodies make you more likely to get infections.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="1" name="1">Causes</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a rare disorder that mainly affects males. It is caused by a gene defect that blocks the growth of normal, mature immune cells called B lymphocytes.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">As a result, the body makes very little (if any) immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulins play a major role in the&nbsp;immune response, which protects against illness and infection.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">People with this disorder develop infections again and again. Common infections include ones that are due to bacteria such as&nbsp;<em>Haemophilus influenzae</em>, pneumococci (<em>Streptococcus pneumoniae</em>), and staphylococci. Common sites of infection include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Gastrointestinal tract</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Joints</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Lungs</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Skin</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Upper&nbsp;respiratory&nbsp;tract</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Agammaglobulinemia is inherited, which means other people in your family may have the condition.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="2" name="2">Symptoms</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Symptoms include frequent episodes of:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Bronchitis&nbsp;(airway infection)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Chronic&nbsp;diarrhea</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Conjunctivitis&nbsp;(eye infection)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Otitis media&nbsp;(middle ear infection)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Pneumonia&nbsp;(lung infection)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Sinusitis&nbsp;(sinus infection)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Skin infections</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Upper respiratory tract infections</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Infections typically appear in the first 4 years of life.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Other symptoms include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Bronchiectasis&nbsp;(a disease in which the small air sacs in the lungs become damaged and enlarged)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Asthma&nbsp;without a known cause</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="3" name="3">Exams and Tests</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The disorder is confirmed by blood tests that measure levels of immunoglobulins.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Tests include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Flow cytometry to measure circulating B lymphocytes</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Immunoelectrophoresis - serum</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Quantitative immunoglobulins&nbsp;- IgG, IgA, IgM (usually measured by nephelometry)</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="4" name="4">Treatment</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Treatment involves taking steps to reduce the number and severity of infections. Antibiotics are often needed to treat bacterial infections.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Immunoglobulins are given through a vein or by injection to boost the immune system.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A bone marrow transplant may be considered.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="5" name="5">Outlook (Prognosis)</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Treatment with immunoglobulins has greatly improved the health of those who have this disorder.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Without treatment, most severe infections are deadly.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="6" name="6">Possible Complications</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Health problems that may result include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Arthritis</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Chronic&nbsp;sinus or&nbsp;pulmonary disease</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Eczema</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Intestinal&nbsp;malabsorption&nbsp;syndromes</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="7" name="7">When to Contact a Medical Professional</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">You or your child has experienced frequent infections.</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">You have a family history of agammaglobulinemia or another immunodeficiency disorder and you are planning to have children. Ask the provider about genetic counseling.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="8" name="8">Prevention</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Genetic counseling should be offered to prospective parents with a family history of agammaglobulinemia or other&nbsp;immunodeficiency disorders.</span></span></p>
