Antibody Deficiencies

This chapter discusses the background, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for antibody deficiencies. Antibody protection is important to prevent disease. Loss of production of either immunoglobulins or the ability to create a functioning IgG antibody can lead to recurrent infections. As the immune system is also important to control inflammation, in some cases loss of some normal controls can be associated with autoimmunity. Adults with chronic, recurrent, or acute infections may lack antibodies or antibody function. These may be due to genetic causes, or secondary to another illness or medication. Subjects with antibody defects may be either sex and of any age. The diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical, laboratory tests, and exclusion of alternative diagnoses. The diagnostic strategy includes blood tests to examine the levels of serum immunoglobulins, and also the functions of these immunoglobulins.