A CT scan score for the assessment of lung disease in children with common variable immunodeficiency disorders

Pulmonary Computed Tomography Screening Frequency in Primary Antibody Deficiency

BACKGROUND

Patients with primary antibody deficiency (PAD) frequently suffer from pulmonary complications, associated with severe morbidity and mortality. Hence, regular pulmonary screening by computed tomography (CT) scanning is advised. However, predictive risk factors for pulmonary morbidity are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To identify patients with PAD at risk for pulmonary complications necessitating regular CT screening.

METHODS

A retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of patients with PAD (median follow-up 7.4 [2.3-14.8] years) was performed. CTs were scored using the modified Brody-II scoring system. Clinical and laboratory parameters were retrospectively collected. Potential risk factors were identified by univariate analysis when P < .2 and confirmed by multivariable logistic regression when P < .05.

RESULTS

The following independent risk factors for progression of airway disease (AD) were identified: (1) diagnosis of X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), (2) recurrent airway infections (2.5/year), and (3) the presence of AD at baseline. Signs of AD progression were detected in 5 of 11 patients with XLA and in 17 of 80 of the other patients with PAD. Of the 22 patients who progressed, 17 had pre-existent AD scores ≥7.0%. Increased AD scores were related to poorer forced expiratory volume in 1 second values and chronic cough. Common variable immunodeficiency and increased CD4 effector/memory cells were risk factors for an interstitial lung disease (ILD) score ≥13.0%. ILD ≥13.0% occurred in 12 of 80 patients. Signs of ILD progression were detected in 8 of 80 patients, and 4 of 8 patients showing progression had pre-existent ILD scores ≥13.0%.

CONCLUSION

We identified risk factors that distinguished patients with PAD at risk for AD and ILD presence and progression, which could guide future screening frequency; however, independent and preferably prospective validation is needed.

Proximal and Distal Bronchioles Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Rationale: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) may originate in bronchiolar regions of the lung. Accordingly, there is a need to characterize the morphology and molecular characteristics of NCFB bronchioles. Objectives: Test the hypothesis that NCFB exhibits a major component of bronchiolar disease manifest by mucus plugging and ectasia. Methods: Morphologic criteria and region-specific epithelial gene expression, measured histologically and by RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, identified proximal and distal bronchioles in excised NCFB lungs. RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry assessed bronchiolar mucus accumulation and mucin gene expression. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated IL-1R1 knockout in human bronchial epithelial cultures tested IL-1α and IL-1β contributions to mucin production. Spatial transcriptional profiling characterized NCFB distal bronchiolar gene expression. Measurements and Main Results: Bronchiolar perimeters and lumen areas per section area were increased in proximal, but not distal, bronchioles in NCFB versus control lungs, suggesting proximal bronchiolectasis. In NCFB, mucus plugging was observed in ectatic proximal bronchioles and associated nonectatic distal bronchioles in sections with disease. MUC5AC and MUC5B mucins were upregulated in NCFB proximal bronchioles, whereas MUC5B was selectively upregulated in distal bronchioles. Bronchiolar mucus plugs were populated by IL-1β-expressing macrophages. NCFB sterile sputum supernatants induced human bronchial epithelial MUC5B and MUC5AC expression that was >80% blocked by IL-1R1 ablation. Spatial transcriptional profiling identified upregulation of genes associated with secretory cells, hypoxia, interleukin pathways, and IL-1β-producing macrophages in mucus plugs and downregulation of epithelial ciliogenesis genes. Conclusions: NCFB exhibits distinctive proximal and distal bronchiolar disease. Both bronchiolar regions exhibit bronchiolar secretory cell features and mucus plugging but differ in mucin gene regulation and ectasia.

Quantitative Assessment of COVID-19 Lung Disease Severity: A Segmentation-based Approach

We present the use of mean Hounsfield units within lungs as a metric of disease severity for the comparison of image analysis models in patients with COPD and COVID. We used this metric to assess the performance of a novel 3D global context attention network for image segmentation that produces lung masks from thoracic HRCT scans. Results showed that the mean Hounsfield units enable a detailed comparison of our 3D implementation of the GC-Net model to the V-Net segmentation algorithm. We implemented a biomimetic data augmentation strategy and used a quantitative severity metric to assess its performance. Framing our investigation around lung segmentation for patients with respiratory diseases allows analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the implemented models in this context.Clinical Relevance - Mean Hounsfield units within the lung volume can be used as an objective measure of respiratory disease severity for the comparison of CT scan analysis algorithms.

Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease in a Spectrum of Pediatric Primary Immunodeficiencies

BACKGROUND

Granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) has been increasingly recognized in children affected with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs). In this study, we aimed to better characterize the spectrum of pediatric PIDs coexisting with GLILD including clinical and immunological predictors, thoracic imaging findings, and histopathologic features.

METHODS

We respectively reviewed records of six representative cases of children, three of them affected with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and three with syndromic immunodeficiencies, in whom a diagnosis of GLILD was established based on clinical, radiological, and histopathologic findings. Clinical and immunological predictors for GLILD were also analyzed in the patients studied.

RESULTS

All the children with GLILD had a history of autoimmune phenomena, organ-specific immunopathology, and immune dysregulation. Defective B-cell maturation and deficiency of memory B cells were found in all the children with GLILD. The radiological and histopathological features consistent with the diagnosis of GLILD, granulomatous disease, and lymphoid hyperplasia, were accompanied by chronic airway disease with bronchiectasis in children with CVID and syndromic PIDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that both CVID and syndromic PIDs may be complicated with GLILD. Further studies are required to understand the predictive value of coexisting autoimmunity and immune dysregulation in the recognition of GLILD in children with PIDs.

Analysis of Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease Using Two Scoring Systems for Computed Tomography Scans-A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) is present in about 20% of patients with common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVID). GLILD is characterized by nodules, reticulation, and ground-glass opacities on CT scans. To date, large cohort studies that include sensitive CT outcome measures are lacking, and severity of structural lung disease remains unknown. The aim of this study was to introduce and compare two scoring methods to phenotype CT scans of GLILD patients.

Methods

Patients were enrolled in the “Study of Interstitial Lung Disease in Primary Antibody Deficiency” (STILPAD) international cohort. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of both CVID and GLILD, as defined by the treating immunologist and radiologist. Retrospectively collected CT scans were scored systematically with the Baumann and Hartmann methods.

Results

In total, 356 CT scans from 138 patients were included. Cross-sectionally, 95% of patients met a radiological definition of GLILD using both methods. Bronchiectasis was present in 82% of patients. Inter-observer reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficients) of GLILD and airway disease were 0.84 and 0.69 for the Hartmann method and 0.74 and 0.42 for the Baumann method.

Conclusions

In both the Hartmann and Baumann scoring method, the composite score GLILD was reproducible and therefore might be a valuable outcome measure in future studies. Overall, the reproducibility of the Hartmann method appears to be slightly better than that of the Baumann method. With a systematic analysis, we showed that GLILD patients suffer from extensive lung disease, including airway disease. Further validation of these scoring methods should be performed in a prospective cohort study involving routine collection of standardized CT scans.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://www.drks.de, identifier DRKS00000799.

Low IgA Associated With Oropharyngeal Microbiota Changes and Lung Disease in Primary Antibody Deficiency

Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) and X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) are primary antibody deficiencies characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and recurrent infections, which can lead to structural airway disease (AD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). We investigated associations between serum IgA, oropharyngeal microbiota composition and severity of lung disease in these patients. In this cross-sectional multicentre study we analyzed oropharyngeal microbiota composition of 86 CVID patients, 12 XLA patients and 49 healthy controls (HC) using next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. qPCR was used to estimate bacterial load. IgA was measured in serum. High resolution CT scans were scored for severity of AD and ILD. Oropharyngeal bacterial load was increased in CVID patients with low IgA (p = 0.013) and XLA (p = 0.029) compared to HC. IgA status was associated with distinct beta (between-sample) diversity (p = 0.039), enrichment of (Allo)prevotella, and more severe radiographic lung disease (p = 0.003), independently of recent antibiotic use. AD scores were positively associated with Prevotella, Alloprevotella, and Selenomonas, and ILD scores with Streptococcus and negatively with Rothia. In clinically stable patients with CVID and XLA, radiographic lung disease was associated with IgA deficiency and expansion of distinct oropharyngeal bacterial taxa. Our findings highlight IgA as a potential driver of upper respiratory tract microbiota homeostasis.

Cost and impact of early diagnosis in primary immunodeficiency disease: A literature review

BACKGROUND

New, innovative, costly diagnostic methods for patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID) demand upfront insight into their potential cost savings and added value for individual patients. As such, high quality, comparable economic evaluations are of utmost importance to enable informed decisions. The objective of this review was therefore to create an extensive overview of current costing studies and potential cost savings of early diagnosis in primary immunodeficiency disease.

METHODS

A literature search in PubMed was conducted and studies involving any form of costing study in the field of PIDs were included. Of the included studies, study characteristics, cost parameters and benefits of early diagnosis were extracted and outlined in separate tables.

RESULTS

Twenty two studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The papers were categorized according to their subject: neonatal screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), Ig replacement therapies and studies reporting on costs of general or specific PIDs. Within and between these groups variability in reported costing characteristics was observed. In studies that reported cost savings pre- and post-diagnosis, cost savings ranged from 6500 to 108,463 USD of total costs per patient.

CONCLUSION

This literature review shows that, regardless of what aspect of PIDs has been studied, in nearly all cases early diagnosis reduces health care consumption and leads to better health outcomes for patients with PIDs. We found considerable variability in costing characteristics of economic evaluations of PID patients, which hampers the comparability of outcomes. More effort is needed to create uniformity and define cost parameters in economic evaluations in the field of PIDs, facilitating further prospective research to extensively assess the benefits of early diagnosis.

Bronchiectasis in common variable immunodeficiency: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent symptomatic primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by infectious and noninfectious complications. Bronchiectasis continues to be a common respiratory problem and therapeutic challenge in CVID. The aim of this study is to estimate the overall prevalence of bronchiectasis and its associated phenotype in patients with CVID.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus from the earliest available date to February 2019 with standard keywords. All pooled analyses of bronchiectasis prevalence and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were based on random-effects models.

RESULTS

Fifty-five studies comprising 8535 patients with CVID were included in the meta-analysis. Overall prevalence of bronchiectasis was 34% (95% CI: 30-38; I²  = 90.19%). CVID patients with bronchiectasis had significantly lower serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgM levels at the time of diagnosis compared with those without bronchiectasis. Among the clinical features, the frequencies of splenomegaly, pneumonia, otitis media, and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia were significantly higher in CVID patients with bronchiectasis compared with those without bronchiectasis, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A higher prevalence of bronchiectasis in patients with CVID should be managed by controlling recurrent and severe pneumonia episodes which are immune dysregulation since this complication is associated with poor prognosis in these patients.

Comprehensive assessment of respiratory complications in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

BACKGROUND

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of disorders, characterized by recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections and some noninfectious clinical complications.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a detailed evaluation of respiratory presentations and complications in a cohort of Iranian patients with CVID.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 245 CVID patients who were recorded in the Iranian primary immunodeficiency disorders registry network. Respiratory manifestations were evaluated by reviewing clinical hospital records, immunologic findings, pulmonary function tests (PFT), and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans.

RESULTS

Most of the patients (n = 208, 85.2%) had experienced at least 1 episode of acute respiratory manifestation, and pneumonia was observed in 31.6 % (n = 77) of cases as a first disease manifestation. During the follow-up, pneumonia, sinusitis, and otitis media were documented in 166 (68.6%), 125 (51.2%), and 103 (42.6%) cases, respectively. Abnormal PFT measurements were documented in 53.8% of patients. Among these patients, 21.5% showed restrictive changes, whereas 18.4% of patients showed an obstructive pattern. Bronchiectasis was the most frequent radiological finding, confirmed in 27.2% of patients. Patients with bronchiectasis were older at the time of immunodeficiency diagnosis (P < .001) and had longer diagnosis delay (P < .001) when compared with patients without bronchiectasis.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the importance of monitoring the respiratory tract system even in asymptomatic patients. Pulmonary function tests and CT scans are the most commonly used techniques aiming to identify these patients early, aiming to reduce the rate of long-term respiratory complications.

Characteristics of the patients followed with the diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency and the complications

Introduction

In this study, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings and complications of 28 common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) patients.

Material and methods

The clinical features and laboratory data of 28 CVID patients were evaluated.

Results

Nineteen patients were male. In 53.5% of the cases, complications included inflammatory bowel disease, cytopenia, bronchiectasis, granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (ILD) and asthma. In their immunological evaluations, IgG, IgM, and IgA mean values were 474.8 ±214.1 mg/dl; 56.7 ±41.9 mg/dl; 35.3 ±58.2 mg/dl, respectively, and the vaccine response was positive in 64.2% of the cases. In all age groups, absolute lymphocyte counts, naive (CD19+IgD+27-), nonswitch (CD19+IgD-27+) memory B cells were numerically higher when compared to the data of healthy children; however, although switch memory (CD19+IgD+27+) B cells were proportionally low in the 4-8 and 12-18 age groups, they were low both numerically and proportionally in the 8-12 age group. No statistically significant difference was found between the cases with complications and without complications. But the cases with pulmonary complications were compared within the group, the CD8 ratio was high but the IgA level was low in patients with bronchiectasis and CD3 was numerically and proportionally low in the cases with ILD compared to others. According to the Paris classification, 11/27 (40.7%) of the cases, 3/27 (11.1%) of them and 13/27 (48.2%) of them were evaluated as MB0, MB1, and MB2, respectively.

Conclusions

In genetic studies, TACI (trans-membrane activator and calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand interactor – TNFRSF13B) mutation was found positive in 25% of the cases.

Pulmonary Manifestations of Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is associated with significant chronic lung disease. The purpose of this paper was to describe the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of CVID-associated lung diseases. These include airways' disease, interstitial lung disease, lymphoma, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. In addition, a genetic syndrome termed Kabuki syndrome results in CVID-like immune abnormalities. These patients may also present with CVID-associated lung disease. Awareness and precise identification of CVID-associated lung disease may allow for better assessment of prognosis and direction of therapy.

Functional Pulmonary Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Detection of Ischemic Injury in a Porcine Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion System Prior to Transplantation

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lungs to detect impaired organ function in a porcine model of ischemic injury within an ex-vivo lung perfusion system (EVLP) prior to transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve pigs were anesthetized, and left lungs were clamped to induce warm ischemia for 3 hours. Right lungs remained perfused as controls. Lungs were removed and installed in an EVLP for 12 hours. Lungs in the EVLP were imaged repeatedly using computed tomography, proton MRI (¹H-MRI) and fluorine MRI (¹⁹F-MRI). Dynamic contrast-enhanced derived parenchymal blood volume, oxygen washout times, and ¹⁹F washout times were calculated. P_aO2 was measured for ischemic and normal lungs, wet/dry ratio was determined, histologic samples were assessed, and cytokines in the lung tissue were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric testing.

RESULTS

Eleven pigs were included in the final analysis. Ischemic lungs showed significantly higher wet/dry ratios (p = 0.024), as well as IL-8 tissue levels (p = 0.0098). Histologic assessment as well as morphologic scoring of computed tomography and ¹H-MRI did not reveal significant differences between ischemic and control lungs. ¹⁹F washout (p = 0.966) and parenchymal blood flow (p = 0.32) were not significantly different. Oxygen washout was significantly prolonged in ischemic lungs compared to normal control lungs at the beginning (p = 0.018) and further prolonged at the end of the EVLP run (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Multiparametric pulmonary MRI is feasible in lung allografts within an EVLP system. Oxygen-enhanced imaging seems to be a promising marker for ischemic injury, enabling detection of affected lung segments prior to transplantation.

Treatment-Responsive Granulomatous-Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease in a Pediatric Case of Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Granulomatous-Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung disease (GLILD) is a granulomatous and lymphoproliferative condition occurring in ~25% of Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) patients with the highest prevalence in the late teen to young adult years. GLILD was first described in adults and carries a poor prognosis with survival estimated to be reduced by half. Here we report a pediatric case of CVID-associated GLILD that presented with rapid deterioration over 3 months and responded to adult-based treatment with dual chemotherapeutic agents (rituximab and azathioprine), resulting in complete resolution of clinical findings and near complete resolution of radiologic findings. This case highlights the opportunity to achieve a favorable outcome in GLILD following appropriate diagnosis and therapy.

High-resolution computed tomography findings in humoral primary immunodeficiencies and correlation with pulmonary function tests

AIM

To compare high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings between humoral primary immunodeficiencies (hPIDs) subtypes; to correlate these findings to pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 52 consecutive adult patients with hPIDs who underwent 64-row HRCT and PFTs at the time of diagnosis. On a per-patient basis, an experienced radiologist recorded airway abnormalities (bronchiectasis, airway wall thickening, mucus plugging, tree-in-bud, and air-trapping) and parenchymal-interstitial abnormalities (consolidations, ground-glass opacities, linear and/or irregular opacities, nodules, and bullae/cysts) found on HRCT. The chi-square test was performed to compare the prevalence of each abnormality among patients with different subtypes of hPIDs. Overall logistic regression analysis was performed to assess whether HRCT findings predicted obstructive and/or restrictive PFTs results (absent-to-mild vs moderate-to-severe).

RESULTS

Thirty-eight of the 52 patients with hPIDs showed common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVID), while the remaining 14 had CVID-like conditions (i.e., 11 had isolated IgG subclass deficiencies and 3 had selective IgA deficiencies). The prevalence of most HRCT abnormalities was not significantly different between CVID and CVID-like patients (P > 0.05), except for linear and/or irregular opacities (prevalence of 31.6% in the CVID group and 0 in the CVID-like group; P = 0.0427). Airway wall thickening was the most frequent HRCT abnormality found in both CVID and CVID-like patients (71% of cases in both groups). The presence of tree-in-bud abnormalities was an independent predictor of moderate-to-severe obstructive defects at PFTs (Odds Ratio, OR, of 18.75, P < 0.05), while the presence of linear and/or irregular opacities was an independent predictor of restrictive defects at PFTs (OR = 13.00; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CVID and CVID-like patients showed similar HRCT findings. Tree-in-bud and linear and/or irregular opacities predicted higher risks of, respectively, obstructive and restrictive defects at PFTs.

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis refers to abnormal dilatation of the bronchi. Airway dilatation can lead to failure of mucus clearance and increased risk of infection. Pathophysiological mechanisms of bronchiectasis include persistent bacterial infections, dysregulated immune responses, impaired mucociliary clearance and airway obstruction. These mechanisms can interact and self-perpetuate, leading over time to impaired lung function. Patients commonly present with productive cough and recurrent chest infections, and the diagnosis of bronchiectasis is based on clinical symptoms and radiological findings. Bronchiectasis can be the result of several different underlying disorders, and identifying the aetiology is crucial to guide management. Treatment is directed at reducing the frequency of exacerbations, improving quality of life and preventing disease progression. Although no therapy is licensed for bronchiectasis by regulatory agencies, evidence supports the effectiveness of airway clearance techniques, antibiotics and mucolytic agents, such as inhaled isotonic or hypertonic saline, in some patients. Bronchiectasis is a disabling disease with an increasing prevalence and can affect individuals of any age. A major challenge is the application of emerging phenotyping and endotyping techniques to identify the patient populations who would most benefit from a specific treatment, with the goal of better targeting existing and emerging treatments and achieving better outcomes.

The Lung in Primary Immunodeficiencies: New Concepts in Infection and Inflammation

Immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT) has contributed critically to the management of primary antibody deficiencies (PAD) and the decrease in pneumonia rate. However, despite adequate IGRT and improved prognosis, patients with PAD continue to experience recurrent respiratory tract infections, leading to bronchiectasis and continuing decline in lung function with a severe impact on their quality of life. Moreover, non-infectious inflammatory and interstitial lung complications, such as granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease, contribute substantially to the overall morbidity of PAD. These conditions develop much more often than appreciated and represent a major therapeutic challenge. Therefore, a regular assessment of the structural and functional condition of the lung and the upper airways with appropriate treatment is required to minimize the deterioration of lung function. This work summarizes the knowledge on lung complications in PAD and discusses the currently available diagnostic tools and treatment options.

Sirolimus as an alternative treatment in patients with granulomatous-lymphocytic lung disease and humoral immunodeficiency with impaired regulatory T cells

BACKGROUND

One of the most frequent non-infectious complications of humoral immunodeficiencies with a CVID-like pattern is a particular form of inflammatory lung disease which is called granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD). Its development worsens patient prognosis, with a significant decrease in survival. Currently, there are no unified guidelines regarding its management, and different combinations of immunosuppressants have been used with variable success.

METHODS

Clinical and radiological data were collected from patient's medical charts. Flow cytometry was performed to characterize the immunological features with special focus in regulatory T cells (Tregs).

RESULTS

A 16-year-old girl with Kabuki syndrome and a 12-year-old boy, both with a CVID-like humoral immunodeficiency on immunoglobulin replacement treatment, developed during follow-up an inflammatory complication radiologically, clinically, and histologically compatible with GLILD. They required treatment, and sirolimus was started, with very good response and no serious side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

These 2 cases provide insight into the underlying local and systemic immune anomalies involved in the development of GLILD, including the possible role of Tregs. Combined chemotherapy is commonly used as treatment for GLILD when steroids fail, but there have been some reports of successful monotherapy. As far as we know, these are the first 2 GLILD patients treated successfully with sirolimus, suggesting the advisability of further study of mTOR inhibitors as a more targeted treatment for GLILD, if impairment in Tregs is demonstrated.

Primary hypogammaglobulinemia: The impact of early diagnosis in lung complications

Summary Objective: To describe clinical features, tomographic findings and pulmonary function in pediatric patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia (PH). Method: A retrospective cohort study of children with PH who received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and prophylactic antibiotics between 2005 and 2010. Epidemiological and clinical features, computed tomography (CT) findings, and spirometric data were compared, assuming a 5% significance level. Results: We evaluated 30 patients with PH. After the start of IVIG replacement, there was a decline in the frequency of pneumonia (p<0.001). The 11 patients with bronchiectasis in their first CT scan were older at diagnosis (p=0.001) and had greater diagnostic delay (p=0.001) compared to patients without bronchiectasis. At the end of the study, 18 patients had bronchiectasis and 27 also had other lung disorders, alone or in combination. The Bhalla score was applied to the last CT scan of 16 patients, with a median score of 11 (range 7-21), with a positive correlation between the score and the number of pneumonias after the start of treatment (r=0.561; p=0.024). The score was also correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) values in 13/16 patients, with negative correlation to FEV1 previously to bronchodilator (r=-0.778; p=0.002) and after bronchodilator (r =-0.837; p<0.001) and FVC (r=-0.773; p=0.002). Conclusion: Pulmonary complications were common in this cohort, despite the decrease in the frequency of pneumonia with treatment. Early investigation of patients with recurrent infections for primary immunodeficiencies can reduce the frequency of these complications. The monitoring of changes in spirometry may indicate the need to carry out radiological investigation.

Respiratory manifestations and management in children with Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency is an antibody deficiency that usually presents in childhood with recurrent sino-pulmonary infections. Diagnostic delay is frequent and thus respiratory morbidity is common, ranging from recurrent suppurative bronchitis to bronchiectasis. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy is the mainstay of treatment, whilst prophylactic antibiotic therapy and muco-ciliary clearance are additional treatment options. This review examines the diagnosis and management of respiratory issues in children with CVID.

Lung magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion weighted imaging provides regional structural as well as functional information without radiation exposure in primary antibody deficiencies

Purpose

Primary antibody deficiency patients suffer from infectious and non-infectious pulmonary complications leading over time to chronic lung disease. The complexity of this pulmonary involvement poses significant challenge in differential diagnosis in patients with long life disease and increased radio sensitivity. We planned to verify the utility of chest Magnetic Resolution Imaging with Diffusion-Weighted Imaging as a radiation free technique.

Methods

Prospective evaluation of 18 patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency and X-linked Agammaglobulinemia. On the same day, patients underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Diffusion Weighted Imaging sequences, High Resolution Computerized Tomography and Pulmonary Function Tests, including diffusing capacity factor for carbon monoxide. Images were scored using a modified version of the Bhalla scoring system.

Results

Magnetic Resonance Imaging was non-inferior to High Resolution Computerized Tomography in the capacity to identify bronchial and parenchymal abnormalities. HRCT had a higher capacity to identify peripheral airways abnormalities, defined as an involvement of bronchial generation up to the fifth and distal (scores 2–3). Bronchial scores negatively related to pulmonary function tests. One third of consolidations and nodules had Diffusion Weighted Imaging restrictions associated with systemic granulomatous disease and systemic lymphadenopathy. Lung Magnetic Resolution Imaging detected an improvement of bronchial and parenchymal abnormalities, in recently diagnosed patients soon after starting Ig replacement.

Conclusions

Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Diffusion Weighted Imaging was a reliable technique to detect lung alterations in patients with Primary Antibody Deficiencies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10875-015-0172-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

CT screening for pulmonary pathology in common variable immunodeficiency disorders and the correlation with clinical and immunological parameters

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary disease is common in patients with common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVID) and involves infections, chronic airway disease and interstitial lung disease. Chronic pulmonary disease is associated with excess morbidity and early mortality and therefore early detection and monitoring of progression is essential.

METHODS AND PURPOSE

Thin slice CT scan and pulmonary function were used to determine the prevalence and spectrum of chronic (pre-clinical) pulmonary disease in adult CVID patients regardless of symptoms. CT Scans were scored for airway abnormalities (AD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Other CVID related complications and B and T lymphocyte subsets were analyzed to identify patients at risk for pulmonary disease.

RESULTS

Significant pulmonary abnormalities were detected in 24 of the 47 patients (51%) consisting of AD in 30% and ILD in 34% of cases. In only 7 (29%) of these 24 patients pulmonary function test proved abnormal. The presence of AD was correlated to (recurrent) lower respiratory tract infections despite IgG therapy. The presence of ILD was correlated to autoimmune disease and a reduction in the numbers of CD4 + T cells, naïve CD4 + T cells, naïve CD8 + T cells and memory B cells and lower IgG through levels over time.

CONCLUSION

Preclinical signs of AD and ILD are common in CVID patients despite Ig therapy and do not correlate to pulmonary function testing. Patients at risk for ILD might be identified by the presence of autoimmunity or a deranged T cell pattern. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine thresholds for the T lymphocyte subsets.

Granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease in infancy

The authors report a case involving a child with chronic respiratory symptoms, who did not respond to conventional treatment. Low serum immunoglobin levels and pathological findings on lung biopsy revealed an unusual diagnosis for his age group. A specific treatment led to clinical improvement.

Defective calcium signaling and disrupted CD20-B-cell receptor dissociation in patients with common variable immunodeficiency disorders

BACKGROUND

B cells of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) disorders display impairment in production of immunoglobulin class-switched antibodies, which is possibly contributed to by defects in early B-cell activation. On resting B cells, B-cell receptors (BCRs) are organized in oligomers that are signaling inactive. Their triggering by cognate antigen causes the lateral reorganization of BCRs and associated proteins into signalosomes, resulting in BCR-activated calcium entry. In resting cells the B-cell surface antigen CD20 is associated with the BCR but dissociates on signalosome formation.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine whether CD20 dissociation from the BCR during early B-cell activation might contribute to the development of CVID disorders.

METHODS

We evaluated BCR signalosome formation, internalization, and signaling in primary B cells of pediatric patients with CVID disorders and healthy control subjects.

RESULTS

In many pediatric patients with CVID disorders, B cells exhibit significant deficits in BCR triggering-mediated calcium entry in the cytosol, which correlates with impaired plasmablast differentiation in vitro. These alterations did not originate from upregulation of CD22 or defects in calcium channels and did not involve gene mutations in phospholipase Cγ2 or Bruton tyrosine kinase. Instead, B cells from patients with CVID disorders exhibited reduced BCR dissociation from CD20. BCR or CD20 cross-linking induced less BCR internalization, and antibody-mediated CD20 triggering elicited less BCR downstream signaling, as measured based on secondary fluxes.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that CD20 dissociation from the BCR signalosome is pivotal to BCR-mediated calcium mobilization in the cytosol. Defects in CD20/BCR signalosome conformation might predispose to the spectrum of CVID disorders.

Airway and interstitial lung disease are distinct entities in paediatric common variable immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a common primary immune deficiency, caused by undefined defects in lymphocyte function, and is treated routinely by immunoglobulin substitution. CVID complications include airway disease (AD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). It was not known if AD and ILD in CVID have a common immunological aetiology and should be considered separate features of the same disease, or as distinct syndromes that require specialized monitoring and treatment. We used high-resolution computed tomography (CT) to diagnose AD or ILD in paediatric CVID patients. Spirometry and body plethysmography did not differentiate between ILD and AD. Patients with AD (n = 11, 20%) developed more pneumonias while children with ILD (n = 8, 15%) showed immune dysregulation characterized by autoimmune complications, more severe memory B cell reduction and expansion of non-naive cytotoxic T cells. In conclusion, ILD and AD in CVID have dissimilar clinical and immunological characteristics, suggesting distinct aetiology requiring tailored monitoring and treatment of these patient subgroups.

Educational paper: primary antibody deficiencies

Primary antibody deficiencies (PADs) are the most common primary immunodeficiencies and are characterized by a defect in the production of normal amounts of antigen-specific antibodies. PADs represent a heterogeneous spectrum of conditions, ranging from often asymptomatic selective IgA and IgG subclass deficiencies to the severe congenital agammaglobulinemias, in which the antibody production of all immunoglobulin isotypes is severely decreased. Apart from recurrent respiratory tract infections, PADs are associated with a wide range of other clinical complications. This review will describe the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the different PADs.

Lung MRI as a possible alternative to CT scan for patients with primary immune deficiencies and increased radiosensitivity

BACKGROUND

Patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) suffer from respiratory infections leading over time to permanent lung damage. Increased radiosensitivity has been described, and clinicians should consider a risk-benefit assessment when ordering a CT scan, in that the exact level of "safe" radiation exposure is unknown.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with CVID were evaluated with chest CT scan, MRI, and pulmonary function tests on the same day. MRI protocol included a T2-weighted rotating blade-like k-space covering sequence (time repetition, 2,000; echo train = 27; field of view, 400 mm; flip angle, 150; slice thickness, 5 mm) on axial and coronal planes. The bronchial and parenchymal abnormalities were compared with those identified by CT scan applying a modified Bhalla scoring system to assess bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, number of bronchial generations involved, mucous plugging, consolidations, emphysema, bullae, and nodules.

RESULTS

CT scan and MRI findings were comparable for moderate to severe degrees of bronchial and parenchymal alterations. A low concordance was found between MRI and CT scan for lower scores of bronchial abnormalities. CT scan allowed a better identification of peripheral airways abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung alterations in patients with higher radiation sensitivity, such as patients with CVID, might be evaluated by MRI, a radiation-free technique alternative to CT scan.

Bronchoscopic and high-resolution CT scan findings in children with chronic wet cough

BACKGROUND

Chronic wet cough strongly suggests endobronchial infection, which, if left untreated, may progress to established bronchiectasis. Our aim was to compare the effectiveness of chest high-resolution CT (HRCT) scanning and flexible bronchoscopy (FB) in detecting airway abnormalities in children with chronic wet cough and to explore the association between radiologic and bronchoscopic/BAL findings.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated a selected population of 93 children (0.6-16.4 years) with wet cough for > 6 weeks who were referred to a specialized center and deemed unlikely to have asthma. All patients were submitted to hematologic investigations, chest radiographs (CXRs), HRCT scanning, and FB/BAL. HRCT scans were scored with the Bhalla method, and bronchoscopic findings of bronchitis were grouped into five grades of severity.

RESULTS

Positive HRCT scan findings were present in 70 (75.2%) patients (P = .76). A positive correlation was found between Bhalla score and duration of cough (ρ = 0.23, P = .028). FB/BAL was superior to HRCT scan in detecting abnormalities (P < .001). The Bhalla score correlated positively with type III (OR, 5.44; 95% CI, 1.92-15.40; P = .001) and type IV (OR, 8.91; 95% CI, 2.53-15.42; P = .001) bronchoscopic lesions; it also correlated positively with the percentage of neutrophils in the BAL (ρ = 0.23, P = .036).

CONCLUSIONS

HRCT scanning detected airway wall thickening and bronchiectasis, and the severity of the findings correlated positively with the length of clinical symptoms and the intensity of neutrophilic inflammation in the airways. However, HRCT scanning was less sensitive than FB/BAL in detecting airway abnormalities. The two modalities should be considered complementary in the evaluation of prolonged wet cough.