Agammaglobulinemia

Alternative names:

Bruton agammaglobulinemia; X-linked agammaglobulinemia

Symptoms:

• family history of agammaglobulinemia (or other immune disorder)
• frequent infections, may begin early or have delayed onset.

Frequent episodes of:

• sinusitis
• conjunctivitis
• pneumonia
• bronchitis
• skin infections
• chronic diarrhea

Note: Frequent infection may begin early or later in life.

Signs and tests:

The disorder is confirmed by laboratory measurement of serum immunoglobulins. Tests include:

• immunoelectrophoresis - serum
• quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry)
• IgG usually less than 200 mg/cc (milligrams per cubic centimeter of blood)
• IgA and IgM almost unmeasurable