CLOSE
Advanced searchCitation search
Suggested Terms:
Cart

Search Result

1 - 5of5
per page:
Filters

You do not have any saved searches

  • The impact of COVID-19 infection in pediatric and adult patients with primary immunodeficiency: a single center analysis
    LymphoSign Journal • Vol. 10 • No. 4 • pp. 71 - 76
    Background: The global impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been profound, with over 760 million confirmed infections and almost 7 million deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pandemic, officially declared in March 2020, has caused significant and irreversible changes in society. COVID-19 continues to pose a serious threat, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe outcomes such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and organ failure, putting immense pressure on healthcare systems worldwide. The effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on individuals with primary immunodeficiency (PID) are not yet fully understood. To date, the available research remains scarce, and the results do not yet provide conclusive evidence of a definitive link between PID and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study we present the clinical course and outcome of COVID-19 in individuals with PID.Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis involving 65 patients, comprising both pediatric and adult individuals diagnosed with PID, who exhibited symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and tested positive at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The data was collected from October 2020 to December 2022.Results: Sixty-five patients (36 children and 29 adults) were enrolled in our study. Our patients were diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency, and categorized as combined immunodeficiency, antibody deficiency, immune dysregulation disorder, phagocyte defect, intrinsic and innate immunity, or autoinflammatory disorder. Each of our patients had their COVID-19 infection confirmed through serology, rapid antigen test, and/or PCR. Among the study participants, 24 individuals had pre-existing lung conditions. At the time of contracting the infection, 42 patients had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. The majority of patients in the study experienced mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.Conclusion: Our patients with PID exhibited mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19, and all made a full recovery without any complications.Statement of Novelty: This study sheds light on impact of COVID-19 in individuals with primary immunodeficiency, revealing a noteworthy observation that patients exhibited mild to moderate symptoms, and remarkably, all experienced a complete recovery devoid of complications.
  • Neurodevelopmental disorder and immunodeficiency
    LymphoSign Journal • Vol. 10 • No. 3 • pp. 42 - 47
    Background: Neurodevelopment is closely entwined with immune maturation and function during embryogenesis. While haematopoietic-derived microglia have recognized roles in a number of neurodevelopmental processes, the contribution of molecules classically involved in the immune system (including complement, toll-like receptors, and cytokines) are also emerging. To date, approximately 11% of genes known to cause primary immunodeficiency also confer varying degrees of neurological abnormalities. These can range from intellectual disability, cognitive and behavioural disorders, through to seizures, spasticity, and motor development delay. However, very rarely are sensory processing defects associated with aberrations of the immune system.Aims: To define the clinical presentation and immune phenotype of a novel syndrome encompassing immunodeficiency, neurodevelopmental abnormalities, and altered pain sensitivity in two siblings.Methods: Comprehensive retrospective review of the patient’s charts were performed, in accordance with local research ethics board approval.Results: We describe two teenage sisters who presented with recurrent sinopulmonary infections, lymphopenia affecting both B and T cells, developmental delay, learning and processing disorder, seizures, and reduced sensitivity to pain. Other features include bronchogenic cyst, microscopic hematuria, oral ulcers, papular urticaria, and keratosis pilaris.Conclusion: An underlying defect in genes known to cause primary immunodeficiency was not identified, suggesting the role of an as-yet undefined molecule at the crossroads of immunity, neurodevelopment, and sensory processing.Statement of novelty: We report on two patients, siblings, with a novel phenotype of combined immunodeficiency, neurodevelopmental delay, and reduced sensitivity to painful stimuli.
  • FREE ACCESS
    Case series of COVID-19 outcomes in adult patients with inborn errors of immunity
    LymphoSign Journal • Vol. 9 • No. 3 • pp. 62 - 66
    Background: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a main challenge for clinicians and public health decision-makers has revolved around risk stratification in vulnerable populations, in particular individuals with inborn errors of immunity (IEI). However, available reports of the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients with IEI show wide variability, from a complete lack of symptoms to severe and complicated disease.Objective: To present the clinical features and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adult patients with IEI.Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review documenting patient characteristics and clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 2021 and July 2022.Results: Ten adult patients with IEI followed in our center were diagnosed with COVID-19, as determined by RT-PCR or rapid antigen testing. IEI in this cohort included those with humoral and combined immunodeficiencies, as well as phagocytic defects. An underlying lung comorbidity was identified in 3 patients. Symptoms were mostly mild and self-limiting, and no severe outcomes, complications, or mortality were noted in this study.Conclusions: We suggest that patients affected by a wide range of both humoral and combined IEI may demonstrate resilience, while highlighting the possible protective effects of vaccination and immunoglobulin replacement in this population.Statement of Novelty: We report on the mild COVID-19 clinical course of 10 adults with IEI.
  • OPEN ACCESS
    Transcervical thymic biopsy in the immunodeficient child
    LymphoSign Journal • Vol. 6 • No. 4 • pp. 141 - 147
    Objective: The objectives of this study are to present a case series of immunodeficient children who underwent a transcervical thymic biopsy and to describe the transcervical approach to the thymus gland.Design: Case series.Setting: Pediatric otolaryngology practice in an academic setting.Patients: Consecutive sample of immunodeficient children (≤18 years old) who underwent thymic biopsies from 1996 to 2019 for the purpose of confirming or excluding profound T cell immunodeficiency.Intervention: Diagnostic transcervical thymic biopsy.Results: A total of 14 patients with atypical combined immunodeficiency underwent the procedure during the study period, with minimal post-operative complication. The thymus was found to be abnormal histologically in 9 children and normal in another 5 patients. In all cases, thymus morphology helped define the extent of the immunodeficiency, resulting in either supporting a decision to perform a bone marrow transplant (8 patients) or avoid this high risk procedure (3 patients).Conclusion: Thymus biopsy is helpful in the characterization of childhood immunodeficiency and provides critical information that affects the medical management. The transcervical approach to the thymus is feasible in children and can be accomplished with minimal morbidity.Statement of novelty: Biopsies of the thymus have assisted in the characterization of new entities of primary immunodeficiency.
  • OPEN ACCESS
    A novel mutation in Roifman syndrome redefines the boundaries of the Sm protein-binding site
    LymphoSign Journal • Vol. 3 • No. 4 • pp. 159 - 163
    Roifman syndrome is an association of humoral immunodeficiency, growth retardation, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, developmental delay, retinal dystrophy, and unique dysmorphism. Compound heterozygote mutations in the RNU4ATAC gene, an essential component of the minor spliceosome, were found to be the culprit for this disorder. Here we report a novel mutation in the RNU4ATAC gene, involving position 116. This mutation redefines the Sm protein binding site of this gene.Statement of novelty: We report here a patient with a novel mutation in the Sm protein-binding site that redefined its boundaries to include position 116.
© Copyright 2025 – LymphoSign Journal
CJCMH Logo