Complete a research report. Research an immunodeficiency disease, other than AIDS, on the Internet. Write a paper on the causes, symptoms, and treatments for the disease. Also identify the group(s) of people this disease is more likely to affect. Agammaglobulinemia or ‘hypogammaglobulinemia’ is an inherited condition in which the level of certain substances that protect the body (known as ‘immunoglobulins’) drops in the blood, along with a decrease in the number of B-lymphocyte, leading to the frequent infections (Merck, 2005, & Little, 2006).
In the US, one in every 250, 000 individuals develop this disorder. The disorder is more common in Saudi Arabia. About half the number of individuals who suffer from primary immunodeficiency have this disorder. Most of the individuals with Agammaglobulinemia have a defect in the Btk gene (which is inherited and is passed on to future generations. The B-lymphocytes tend to develop and mature improperly causing a deficiency in immunoglobulins (Chin, 2006). This disorder occurs only in males.
It begins a few months after birth, as the child would be having circulatory antibodies from the mother. The child develops frequent infections of the ear, nose, throat, lungs, skin, sinuses, gastro-intestinal tract, bones and other parts of the body (Little, 2006, Merck, 2005 & Chin, 2006). Some children are at a high risk of developing viral infections of the central nervous system. Children administered live polio vaccine are especially at a high risk of developing the disorder. In certain cases, the child may die due to severe infections (Little, 2006, Merck, 2005 & Chin, 2006).
The diagnosis of Agammaglobulinemia is made based on the history, symptoms, signs, serum immuno-electrophoresis (to determine the types and quantity of immunoglobulins), blood tests (to determine the B-lymphocyte count), MRI scans (to determine changes in the brain), CT scans and X-rays (to determine changes in the lungs and the bones), lung function tests, etc (Chin, 2006, & Little, 2006). Prenatal diagnosis can be provided through amniocentesis and examining the umbilical blood sample (Merck, 2005). The primary aim of treatment is to restore the immunoglobulins levels to normal.
It is given in the doses of 400-mg/Kg body weight intravenously. Antibiotics should be administered to treat infections immediately. If the condition is diagnosed and treated early, the outcome is usually good. Some of the individuals are able to live a normal lifespan. However, in the case of severe infection, the outcome is rather poor (Merck, 2005, Merck, 2003, Chin, 2006 & Little, 2006).
References: Little, F. F. 92006). “Agammaglobulinemia. ” Retrieved on November 9, 2007, from Medline Plus Web site: http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic54.htm