De Silva, RajivaGunawardena, SWickremesinghe, GRanasinghe, BNamasivayam, Y2009-05-282009-05-282007-09-21De Silva R, Gunawardena S, Wickremesinghe G, Ranasinghe B, Namasivayam Y. Primary immune deficiency among patients with recurrent infections. The Ceylon Medical Journal. 2007 Sep; 52(3): 83-6http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/49254The Ceylon Medical Journal.OBJECTIVES: Primary immune deficiency is relatively rare. Patients present with recurrent or persistent infections or infections with opportunistic pathogens. We investigated patients who presented during the years 2005-7 with recurrent or persistent infections or infections with opportunistic organisms, for underlying immune deficiency. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Department of Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Colombo. STUDY POPULATION: 257 patients referred to the Department of Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Colombo, with a history of recurrent infections, for evaluation of possible immune deficiency. MEASUREMENTS: Appropriate evaluation of immunological competence of the humoral and cell mediated immune systems. RESULTS: There were 8 patients with agammaglobulinaemia (X linked agammaglobulinaemia and autosomal recessive agammaglobulinaemia), 2 patients each with ataxia telangiectasia, IgA deficiency and hyper-IgE syndrome, 3 patients with common variable immune deficiency (CVID), and 1 patient each with Griscelli syndrome, hyper-IgM syndrome and X linked severe combined immune deficiency (SCID). CONCLUSIONS: Primary immune deficiency must be included in the evaluation of patients with recurrent infections, and timely intervention can prevent morbidity and mortality.engAtaxia TelangiectasiaAutoimmune Diseases --immunologyChildChild, PreschoolCommon Variable Immunodeficiency --immunologyFemaleHumansIgA DeficiencyImmunologic Deficiency Syndromes --diagnosisInfantInfant, NewbornMalePilot ProjectsRecurrenceSevere Combined Immunodeficiency --immunologyJournal Article