Pulmonary radiologic findings in common variable immunodeficiency: clinical and immunological correlations

Primary B-cell immunodeficiencies

Primary B-cell immunodeficiencies refer to diseases resulting from impaired antibody production due to either molecular defects intrinsic to B-cells or a failure of interaction between B-cells and T-cells. Patients typically have recurrent infections and can vary with presentation and complications depending upon where the defect has occurred in B-cell development or the degree of functional impairment. In this review, we describe B-cell specific immune defects categorized by presence or absence of peripheral B-cells, immunoglobulins isotypes and evidence of antibody impairment.

Bronchiectasis and deteriorating lung function in agammaglobulinaemia despite immunoglobulin replacement therapy

Immunoglobulin replacement therapy enhances survival and reduces infection risk in patients with agammaglobulinaemia. We hypothesized that despite regular immunoglobulin therapy, some patients will experience ongoing respiratory infections and develop progressive bronchiectasis with deteriorating lung function. One hundred and thirty-nine (70%) of 199 patients aged 1-80 years from nine cities in the United Kingdom with agammaglobulinaemia currently listed on the UK Primary Immune Deficiency (UKPID) registry were recruited into this retrospective case study and their clinical and laboratory features analysed; 94% were male, 78% of whom had Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene mutations. All patients were on immunoglobulin replacement therapy and 52% had commenced therapy by the time they were 2 years old. Sixty per cent were also taking prophylactic oral antibiotics; 56% of patients had radiological evidence of bronchiectasis, which developed between the ages of 7 and 45 years. Multivariate analysis showed that three factors were associated significantly with bronchiectasis: reaching 18 years old [relative risk (RR) = 14·2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2·7-74·6], history of pneumonia (RR = 3·9, 95% CI = 1·1-13·8) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) rather than subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) = (RR = 3·5, 95% CI = 1·2-10·1), while starting immunoglobulin replacement after reaching 2 years of age, gender and recent serum IgG concentration were not associated significantly. Independent of age, patients with bronchiectasis had significantly poorer lung function [predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s 74% (50-91)] than those without this complication [92% (84-101)] (P < 0·001). We conclude that despite immunoglobulin replacement therapy, many patients with agammaglobulinaemia can develop chronic lung disease and progressive impairment of lung function.

Autoimmune Cytopenias and Associated Conditions in CVID: a Report From the USIDNET Registry

PURPOSE

Autoimmune cytopenia is frequently a presenting manifestation of common variable immune deficiency (CVID). Studies characterizing the CVID phenotype associated with autoimmune cytopenias have mostly been limited to large referral centers. Here, we report prevalence of autoimmune cytopenias in CVID from the USIDNET Registry and compare the demographics and clinical features of patients with and without this complication.

METHODS

Investigators obtained demographic, laboratory, and clinical data on CVID patients within the USIDNET Registry. Patients were considered to have autoimmune cytopenia if they had a diagnosis of hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), or autoimmune neutropenia. Baseline characteristics and associated complications of those with autoimmune cytopenia (+AC) and those without (-AC) were compared.

RESULTS

Of 990 CVID patients included in the analysis, 10.2% (N = 101) had a diagnosis consistent with autoimmune cytopenia: ITP was diagnosed in 7.4% (N = 73), hemolytic anemia in 4.5% (N = 45), and autoimmune neutropenia in 1% (N = 10). Age at diagnosis, gender, and baseline Ig values did not differ between the +AC and -AC groups. The +AC group was significantly more likely to have one or more other CVID-associated non-infectious complications (OR = 2.9; 95%-CI: 1.9-4.6, P < 0.001), including lymphoproliferation, granulomatous disease, lymphomas, hepatic disease, interstitial lung diseases, enteropathy, and organ-specific autoimmunity.

CONCLUSIONS

Autoimmune cytopenias are a common manifestation in CVID and are likely to be associated with other non-infectious CVID-related conditions. In light of prior studies showing increased morbidity and mortality in CVID patients with such complications, a diagnosis of autoimmune cytopenia may have prognostic significance in CVID.

Dysregulation of Innate Lymphoid Cells in Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent symptomatic primary immune deficiency. With widespread use of immunoglobulin replacement therapy, non-infectious complications, such as autoimmunity, chronic intestinal inflammation, and lung disease, have replaced infections as the major cause of morbidity and mortality in this immune deficiency. The pathogenic mechanisms that underlie the development of these complications in CVID are not known; however, there have been numerous associated laboratory findings. Among the most intriguing of these associations is elevation of interferon signature genes in CVID patients with inflammatory/autoimmune complications, as a similar gene expression profile is found in systemic lupus erythematosus and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Linked with this heightened interferon signature in CVID is an expansion of circulating IFN-γ-producing innate lymphoid cells. Innate lymphoid cells are key regulators of both protective and pathogenic immune responses that have been extensively studied in recent years. Further exploration of innate lymphoid cell biology in CVID may uncover key mechanisms underlying the development of inflammatory complications in these patients and may inspire much needed novel therapeutic approaches.

Bronchiectasis following treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma: A case series

High-risk (HR) neuroblastoma remains a very challenging disease to treat and long-term cure is only possible with intensive, multimodal treatment including chemotherapy, high-dose therapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. As a result, treatment-related morbidity and late effects are common in survivors. This report outlines a case series of six patients who developed a chronic productive cough following treatment for HR neuroblastoma. High-resolution computed tomography scanning confirmed the diagnosis of bronchiectasis. Two of the patients who have undergone immunological testing demonstrate hypogammaglobulinaemia and impaired vaccine response. Persistent cough in patients treated for neuroblastoma warrants investigation and consideration of immunological referral.

The Lung in Dysregulated States of Humoral Immunity

In common variable immunodeficiency, lung manifestations are related to different mechanisms: recurrent pneumonias due to encapsulated bacteria responsible for diffuse bronchiectasis, diffuse infiltrative pneumonia with various patterns, and lymphomas, mostly B cell extranodal non-Hodgkin type. The diagnosis relies on significant serum Ig deficiency and the exclusion of any primary or secondary cause. Histopathology may be needed. Immunoglobulin (IgG) replacement is crucial to prevent infections and bronchiectasis. IgG4-related respiratory disease, often associated with extrapulmonary localizations, presents with solitary nodules or masses, diffuse interstitial lung diseases, bronchiolitis, lymphadenopathy, and pleural or pericardial involvement. Diagnosis relies on international criteria including serum IgG4 dosage and significantly increased IgG4/IgG plasma cells ratio in pathologically suggestive biopsy. Respiratory amyloidosis presents with tracheobronchial, nodular, and cystic or diffuse interstitial lung infiltration. Usually of AL (amyloid light chain) subtype, it may be localized or systemic, primary or secondary to a lymphoproliferative process. Very rare other diseases due to nonamyloid IgG deposits are described. Among the various lung manifestations of dysregulated states of humoral immunity, this article covers only those associated with the common variable immunodeficiency, IgG4-related disease, amyloidosis, and pulmonary light-chain deposition disease. Autoimmune connective-vascular tissue diseases or lymphoproliferative disorders are addressed in other chapters of this issue.

Humoral primary immunodeficiency diseases: clinical overview and chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features in the adult population

Humoral primary immunodeficiency diseases (hPIDs) are a heterogeneous group of hereditary disorders resulting in abnormal susceptibility to infections of the sinopulmonary tract. Some of these conditions (e.g., common variable immunodeficiency disorders [CVID]) imply a number of non-infectious thoracic complications such as non-infectious airway disorders, diffuse lung parenchymal diseases, and neoplasms. Chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a key imaging tool to characterise and quantify the extent of underlying thoracic involvement, as well as to direct and monitor treatment. The aims of this review are to provide a brief clinical overview of hPIDs and describe the related chest HRCT imaging features in the adult population, with a special focus on CVID and its complications.

Lung Disease in Primary Antibody Deficiencies

Primary antibody deficiencies (PADs) are the most common form of primary immunodeficiency and predispose to severe and recurrent pulmonary infections, which can result in chronic lung disease including bronchiectasis. Chronic lung disease is among the most common complications of PAD and a significant source of morbidity and mortality for these patients. However, the development of lung disease in PAD may not be solely the result of recurrent bacterial infection or a consequence of bronchiectasis. Recent characterization of monogenic immune dysregulation disorders and more extensive study of common variable immunodeficiency have demonstrated that interstitial lung disease (ILD) in PAD can result from generalized immune dysregulation and frequently occurs in the absence of pneumonia history or bronchiectasis. This distinction between bronchiectasis and ILD has important consequences in the evaluation and management of lung disease in PAD. For example, treatment of ILD in PAD typically uses immunomodulatory approaches in addition to immunoglobulin replacement and antibiotic prophylaxis, which are the stalwarts of bronchiectasis management in these patients. Although all antibody-deficient patients are at risk of developing bronchiectasis, ILD occurs in some forms of PAD much more commonly than in others, suggesting that distinct but poorly understood immunological factors underlie the development of this complication. Importantly, ILD can have earlier onset and may worsen survival more than bronchiectasis. Further efforts to understand the pathogenesis of lung disease in PAD will provide vital information for the most effective methods of diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment of these patients.

Asthma and Hypogammaglobulinemia: an Asthma Phenotype with Low Type 2 Inflammation

PURPOSE

Little is known about hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) in asthma patients. No data are available on the characteristics of adult patients with asthma and HGG.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective monocentric study between January 2006 and December 2012. Asthma patients with a serum immunoglobulin (Ig) quantitative analysis were included and classified into two groups depending on their serum IgG concentration: presence or absence of HGG. Clinical, biological, functional, and radiologic characteristics were compared in univariate and multivariate analysis, using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, asthma patients with HGG (n = 25) were older (58 years old ± 18 vs 49 ± 18, p = 0.04) and more frequently active or former smokers as compared to patients with normoglobulinemia (n = 80) (56.0 vs 35.0 %, p = 0.01). Total IgE < 30 kUI/L was more frequently observed in patients with HGG (53.0 vs 18.3 %, p = 0.01). HGG asthma patients had lower fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (p = 0.02), blood eosinophilia (p = 0.0009), and presented with more severe composite score for bronchiectasis (p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, asthma patients with HGG had increased risk of being smokers [OR = 6.11 (IC 95 % = 1.16-32.04)], having total IgE concentration < 30 kUI/L [OR = 12.87 (IC 95 % = 2.30-72.15)], and a more severe composite score of bronchiectasis [OR = 20.65 (IC 95 % = 2.13-199.74)].

CONCLUSION

Asthma patients with HGG are older and more often tobacco smoker than asthma patients without HGG. These patients have low type-2 inflammation markers.

[Pulmonary manifestations in adult patients with a defect in humoral immunity]

Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are a group of congenital diseases of the immune system, which numbers more than 230 nosological entities associated with lost, decreased, or wrong function of its one or several components. Due to the common misconception that these are extremely rare diseases that occur only in children and lead to their death at an early age, PIDs are frequently ruled out by physicians of related specialties from the range of differential diagnosis. The most common forms of PIDs, such as humoral immunity defects, common variable immune deficiency, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, selective IgA deficiency, etc., are milder than other forms of PID, enabling patients to attain their adult age, and may even manifest in adulthood. Bronchopulmonary involvements are the most common manifestations of the disease in patients with a defect in humoral immunity. Thus, a therapist and a pulmonologist are mostly the first doctors who begin to treat these patients and play a key role in their fate, since only timely diagnosis and initiation of adequate therapy can preserve not only the patient's life, but also its quality, avoiding irreversible complications. Chest computed tomography changes play a large role in diagnosis. These are not specific for PID; however, there are a number of characteristic signs that permit this diagnosis to be presumed.

Autoimmune and Lymphoproliferative Complications of Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is frequently complicated by the development of autoimmune and lymphoproliferative diseases. With widespread use of immunoglobulin replacement therapy, autoimmune and lymphoproliferative complications have replaced infection as the major cause of morbidity and mortality in CVID patients. Certain CVID complications, such as bronchiectasis, are likely to be the result of immunodeficiency and are associated with infection susceptibility. However, other complications may result from immune dysregulation rather than immunocompromise. CVID patients develop autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation, and granulomas in association with distinct immunological abnormalities. Mutations in transmembrane activator and CAML interactor, reduction of isotype-switched memory B cells, expansion of CD21 low B cells, heightened interferon signature expression, and retained B cell function are all associated with both autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation in CVID. Further research aimed to better understand that the pathological mechanisms of these shared forms of immune dysregulation may inspire therapies beneficial for multiple CVID complications.

Pulmonary Manifestations of the Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome. A Retrospective Study of a Unique Patient Cohort

RATIONALE

Patients with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), a disorder of impaired lymphocyte apoptosis, often undergo radiographic chest imaging to evaluate the presence and progression of lymphadenopathy. These images often lead to parenchymal and interstitial lung findings of unclear clinical significance.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the pulmonary findings associated with ALPS and to determine if lung abnormalities present on computed tomographic (CT) imaging of the chest correlate with infection or functional status.

METHODS

Patients with lung abnormalities observed on chest CT scans were retrospectively identified from the largest known ALPS cohort. Lung computed tomography findings were characterized and correlated with medical records, bronchoalveolar lavage, biopsy, and lung function.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

CT images of the chest were available for 234 (92%) of 255 of the patients with ALPS. Among patients with a chest CT scan, 18 (8%) had lung abnormalities on at least one CT scan. Fourteen (78%) of those 18 were classified as having ALPS with undetermined genetic defect. Most patients (n = 16 [89%]) with lung lesions were asymptomatic. However, two (11%) of them had associated dyspnea and/or desaturation on room air. Immunosuppressive treatment was administered for lung disease in nine (50%) cases, and all were followed for clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ALPS can develop chest radiographic findings with protean manifestations that may mimic pulmonary infection. Management of patients with ALPS with incidental lung lesions identified by CT imaging should be guided by clinical correlation. Symptomatic patients may benefit from chest CT imaging and lesion biopsy to exclude infection and guide administration of immunosuppressive therapy.

Recommendations for aetiological diagnosis of bronchiectasis

The number of bronchiectasis diagnoses has increased in the last two decades due to several factors. Research carried out over the last years showed that an aetiological diagnosis could change the approach and treatment of a relevant percentage of patients and consequently the prognosis. Currently, systematic investigation into aetiology, particularly of those disorders that can be subject to specific treatment, is recommended. Given the complexity of the aetiological diagnosis, the Pulmonology Portuguese Society Bronchiectasis Study Group assembled a working group which prepared a document to guide and standardize the aetiologic investigation based on available literature and its own expertise. The goal is to facilitate the investigation, rationalize resources and improve the delivery of care, quality of life and prognosis of patients with bronchiectasis.

Humoral deficiency in three paediatric patients with genetic diseases

BACKGROUND

Primary immunodeficiencies (PID) represent a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders characterised by poor or absent function in one or more components of the immune system. Humoral or antibody immunodeficiencies are the most common form of PID, of which common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most frequent symptomatic form. CVID is usually characterised by hypogammaglobulinaemia with poor antibody specificity, and an increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation. Fewer than 10% of CVID patients have a known monogenic basis. Several chromosomal abnormalities (chromosome 18q-syndrome, monosomy 22, trisomy 8 and trisomy 21) are currently identified as causes of hypogammaglobulinaemia, and can manifest with recurrent infections and mimic CVID.

METHODS

Review of clinical charts and laboratory results of paediatric patients followed in the outpatient clinic of PID with a diagnosis of genetic disease and humoral immunodeficiency.

RESULTS

Three patients with different genetic diseases (19p13.3 deletion, a ring 18 chromosome and Kabuki syndrome), were identified. During follow-up, they developed signs and symptoms suggestive of humoral deficiency mimicking CVID, despite which immunoglobulin levels were quantified with considerable delay with respect to symptoms onset, and specific management was subsequently delayed.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with genetic abnormalities and recurrent infections should be evaluated for hypogammaglobulinaemia. An early diagnosis of humoral deficiency can allow treatment optimisation to prevent complications and sequelae.

Progression of Common Variable Immunodeficiency Interstitial Lung Disease Accompanies Distinct Pulmonary and Laboratory Findings

BACKGROUND

Common variable immunodeficiency may be complicated by interstitial lung disease, which leads to worsened morbidity and mortality in some. Although immunomodulatory treatment has efficacy, choice of patient, duration of treatment, and long-term follow-up are not available. Interstitial lung disease appears stable in certain instances, so it is not known whether all patients will develop progressive disease or require immunomodulatory therapy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine if all common variable immunodeficiency patients with interstitial lung disease have physiological worsening, and if clinical and/or laboratory parameters may correlate with disease progression.

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York was conducted for referred patients with common variable immunodeficiency, CT scan-confirmed interstitial lung disease, and periodic pulmonary function testing covering 20 or more months before immunomodulatory therapy. Fifteen patients were identified from the retrospective review and included in this study.

RESULTS

Of the 15 patients with common variable immunodeficiency, 9 had physiological worsening of interstitial lung disease adapted from consensus guidelines, associated with significant reductions in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. Those with progressive lung disease also had significantly lower mean immunoglobulin G levels, greater increases and highest levels of serum immunoglobulin M (IgM), and more significant thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSION

Interstitial lung disease resulted in physiological worsening in many, but not all subjects, and was associated with suboptimal immunoglobulin G replacement. Those with worsening pulmonary function tests, elevated IgM, and severe thrombocytopenic episodes appear to be at highest risk for progressive disease. Such patients may benefit from immunomodulatory treatment.

Lung disease in primary antibody deficiency

This Review summarises current knowledge on the pulmonary manifestations of primary antibody deficiency (PAD) syndromes in adults. We describe the major PAD syndromes, with a particular focus on common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Respiratory infection is a common presenting feature of PAD syndromes. Respiratory complications are frequent and responsible for much of the morbidity and mortality associated with these syndromes. Respiratory complications include acute infections, the sequelae of infection (eg, bronchiectasis), non-infectious immune-mediated manifestations (notably the development of granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease in CVID), and an increased risk of lymphoma. Although minor abnormalities are detectable in the lungs of most patients with CVID by CT scanning, not all patients develop lung complications. Mechanisms associated with the maintenance of lung health versus lung disease, and the development of bronchiectasis versus immune-mediated complications, are now being dissected. We review the investigation, treatment, and management strategies for PAD syndromes, and include key research questions relating to both infectious and non-infectious complications of PAD in the lung.