Diagnosis and management of Specific Antibody Deficiency

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2020 Aug;40(3):499-510. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2020.03.005. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Abstract

Specific antibody deficiency is a primary immunodeficiency disease recognized by the International Union of Immunology Societies and defined by recurrent respiratory infections with normal immunoglobulins, but diminished antibody responses to polysaccharide antigens after vaccination with the 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Clinical immunologists struggle with diagnosis and treatment, because the definition of an adequate response to immunization remains controversial. Specific antibody deficiency is managed clinically with close follow-up and prompt treatment of infections, antibiotic prophylaxis, or immune globulin therapy. Treatment is individualized using clinical judgment and existing practice guidelines, which will likely evolve as more studies become available.

Keywords: Antibody deficiency; Diagnosis; Immunoglobulin replacement therapy; PCV13; PPSV23; Pneumococcal vaccines; Primary immunodeficiency; Specific antibody deficiency.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Agammaglobulinemia / complications
  • Agammaglobulinemia / diagnosis*
  • Agammaglobulinemia / etiology
  • Agammaglobulinemia / therapy*
  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease Management
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Infection Control
  • Infections / diagnosis
  • Infections / etiology
  • Infections / therapy
  • Phenotype
  • Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases / complications
  • Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases / diagnosis
  • Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases / etiology
  • Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vaccines