Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)

By James Fernandez, MD, PhD, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, The R. J. Fasenmyer Center for Clinical Immunology

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Immunodeficiency Disorders
Overview of Immunodeficiency Disorders
Approach to the Patient With Suspected Immunodeficiency
Ataxia-Telangiectasia
Chédiak-Higashi Syndrome
Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD)
Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)
DiGeorge Syndrome
Hyper-IgE Syndrome
Hyper-IgM Syndrome
Selective IgA Deficiency
Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency
Selective Antibody Deficiency With Normal Immunoglobulins (SADNI)
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
Transient Hypogammaglobulinemia of Infancy
Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome
X-linked Agammaglobulinemia
X-linked Lymphoproliferative Syndrome
ZAP-70 Deficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (acquired or adult-onset hypogammaglobulinemia) is characterized by low immunoglobulin (Ig) levels with phenotypically normal B cells that can proliferate but do not develop into Ig-producing cells.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency disorder that involves humoral immunity deficiencies. It includes several different molecular defects, but in most patients, the molecular defect is unknown. Mutations are sporadic in > 90% of cases. CVID is clinically similar to X-linked agammaglobulinemia in the types of infections that develop, but onset tends to be later (typically between ages 20 and 40). T-cell immunity may be impaired in some patients.

Symptoms and Signs

Patients with CVID have recurrent sinopulmonary infections.

Autoimmune disorders (eg, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, autoimmune hemolytic or pernicious anemia, SLE, Addison disease, thyroiditis, RA, alopecia areata) can occur, as can malabsorption, nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the GI tract, granuloma formation, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, splenomegaly, and bronchiectasis. Gastric carcinoma and lymphoma occur in 10% of patients.

Diagnosis

Measurement of serum Ig and antibody titers
Flow cytometry for T-cell and B-cell subsets
Serum protein electrophoresis

Diagnosis of CVID is suggested by recurrent sinopulmonary infections and requires all of the following:

Low (at least 2 standard deviations below the mean) levels of IgG
Low levels of IgA, IgM, or both
Impaired response to immunizations (usually both protein and polysaccharide vaccines)
Exclusion of other immunodeficiency disorders

Antibody levels should not be measured if patients have been treated with IV immune globulin (IVIG) within the previous 6 mo because any detected antibodies are from the IVIG.

B-cell and T-cell quantification by flow cytometry is done to exclude other immunodeficiency disorders and to distinguish CVID from X-linked agammaglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia; findings may include low numbers of class-switched memory B cells or CD21+ cells. Serum protein electrophoresis is done to screen for monoclonal gammopathies (eg, myeloma), which may be associated with reduced levels of other Ig isotypes.

Spirometry, CBC, liver function tests, and a basic metabolic panel are recommended yearly to check for associated disorders. If lung function changes, CT should be done.

Because mutations are usually sporadic, screening relatives is not recommended unless there is a significant family history of CVID.

Treatment

Prophylactic immune globulin (IgG) replacement therapy
Antibiotics for infections

Treatment of CVID consists of immune globulinand antibiotics as needed to treat infection.

Rituximab, TNF-alpha inhibitors (eg, etanercept, infliximab), corticosteroids, and/or other treatments may be required to treat complications such as autoimmune disorders, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, and granuloma formation.

Last full review/revision August 2016 by James Fernandez, MD, PhD