Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)
The Primary Immunodeficiency Program at Children’s Medical Center has been recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Jeffrey Modell Foundation for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with primary immunodeficiency including CVID.
What is Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)?
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is an antibody deficiency that leaves a child’s immune system vulnerable to recurrent infections, autoimmune diseases, lympho-proliferation and cancer. This is one of the most common forms of primary immunodeficiency disease, and severity varies from person to person.
What are the signs and symptoms of Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)?
Chronic diarrhea and weight loss
Gastrointestinal infections such as Giardia, Campylobacter
Autoimmune problems involving the blood cells including anemia (low red cells), thrombocytopenia (low platelets) , neutropenia (low white cells)
How is Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) diagnosed?
Your child’s doctor may suspect CVID if he or she has a history of recurrent bacterial infections of the lungs, bronchi, ears or sinuses. The doctor will order screening tests that measure immunoglobulin levels in the blood and may also look for the number of B- and T-lymphocytes present. Other tests may include:
The diagnostic criteria for CVID include the following:
A child must be older than 4 years of age
The child must have a low immunoglobulin G (IgG) AND either a low immunoglobulin A (IgA) or immunoglobulin M (IgM)
The child must be unable to make specific antibodies to vaccines
What are the causes of Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)?
In the majority of cases, a genetic cause is not known. In less than 10 percent of patients, there may be a family history of CVID. In 5-10 percent of patients, a genetic cause may be identified, although this remains a research question.
How is Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) treated?
If your child is diagnosed with CVID, the doctor will likely administer immunoglobin replacement therapy, which usually relieves symptoms. Your child will need to get these treatments regularly throughout his or her life.
IgG therapy can be given through a catheter in your child’s vein (intravenous; IVIG) or subcutaneously (SCIG). The decision to use one or the other will depend on what’s best for your child and your family.
Your child’s doctor will also prescribe antibiotics to treat infections, and many times, longer courses may be required than for those patients without CVID.
Sometimes, biopsies may be needed when nodules in the lung and liver appear. This may change treatments.
If lympho-proliferation and granulomas develop, other treatments may be needed to suppress the immune system further. These medicines include steroids and other chemotherapy medications.
All patients with CVID should be followed at the center. If patients with CVID have complications – including pulmonary, gastrointestinal, or liver problems – these require the cooperative interaction of your child’s immunologist with other subspecialties.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) Doctors and Providers
