Immune Regulation in Patients With Common Variable Immunodeficiency and Related Syndromes

This study will explore the cause of immunodeficiency in common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) and other related immunodeficiency syndromes-IgA deficiency, hyper IgM syndrome, thymoma and agammaglobulinemia, hypogammaglobulinemia associated with Epstein-Barr infection, and others to better focus on how to correct the underlying defect.

Patients with CVI and their family members may participate in this study. Family members must be between the ages of 18 and 85, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.

Patients will receive standard medical care for their illness. Procedures may include a medical history and physical examination, routine blood tests, stool examination for infectious agents, lung function tests, chest and sinus X-rays. Treatment may include administration of immune serum globulin, antibiotics for infections, and anti-inflammatory drugs, if needed. In addition, patients may undergo the following:

* Lymphapheresis: This procedure is done to collect large numbers of white blood cells (lymphocytes). Blood is collected through a needle in an arm vein, similar to donating blood. The blood is separated it into its components by centrifugation (spinning), the white cells are removed, and the rest of the blood (red cells, plasma and platelets) is returned to the body, either through the same needle or through another needle in the other arm.
* Blood draw: Blood may be drawn through a needle in an arm vein (venipuncture). No more than 450 milliliters (15 ounces) of blood will be collected over a 6-week period from adults, and no more than 7 ml (1 1/2 teaspoons) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight in children over the same time period.
* Lymph node biopsies: Lymph node biopsies will be done only if required for diagnostic purposes. Some of the biopsy tissue may be kept for research. Up to two lymph nodes may be removed during each procedure. For the procedure, a painkiller is injected into and beneath the skin in the biopsy area, and the node is removed surgically. The incision is closed using dissolving sutures (stitches) that do not require removal. The biopsy takes about 30 minutes. Patients will be hospitalized at least overnight for observation.
* Intestinal biopsies: Endoscopy and gastrointestinal biopsy will be done only if there is evidence of malabsorption. Some of the biopsy tissue may be kept for research. Patients are pre-medicated to allay anxiety, but are fully conscious during the procedure. A flexible tube is inserted into the stomach or small intestine through the mouth. The tube allows the doctor to see the intestinal mucosa and to project the image onto a TV screen. At various places in the mucosal surface, small pieces of tissue are plucked out using a small space at the tip of the endoscope. The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes.

Some of the blood collected may be used for genetic tests. Some blood and tissue samples may be stored for future research labeled with a code, such as a number, that only the study team can link to the patient.

Participating family members will provide a medical history, and their pulse, blood pressure and temperature will be taken. They will have 10 to 120 ml (1/3 to 4 ounces) of blood drawn from a vein in the arm. Blood samples may be taken on repeated occasions as long as the relative remains in the study. The blood will be used for research that may involve development of diagnostic tests for CVI, evaluation of the structure and function of normal blood cells for comparison with those of patients with CVI, and studies to try to determine possible genetic factors involved in susceptibility to CVI.

The purpose of this protocol is to carry out laboratory studies concerning the immunopathogenesis of Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVI) and related inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Additionally, we aim to document and track the progression of known complications of these immune abnormalities. Complications associated with CVI include recurrent respiratory, granulomas, pulmonary insufficiency, gastrointestinal bacterial infections, enteropathy, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, lymphoid malignancy, and various autoimmune manifestations.

Patients with CVI and related IEI will be enrolled into this natural history study. Protocol procedures will include baseline measurements of and changes in lab studies. First- or second-degree genetically related family members (limited to mother, father, siblings, grandparents, children, aunts, uncles, and first cousins of an affected patient) may also be screened for clinical, in vitro, and genetic correlates of immune abnormalities. Changes in the patients' clinical state will be measured to determine the precursors of disease complications. This may lead to developments in improving preventive measures and novel treatment options for this population.

Eligibility Criteria:
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:
* Must have a verifiable diagnosis of common variable immune deficiency as defined by a decrease both in IgG and at least one other Ig isotype to below two standard deviations of normal control levels OR B-cell immunodeficiencies related to CVI (defined as selective IgA deficiency, selective IgG isotype deficiency, agammaglobulinemia, and hypogammaglobulinemia associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection), or hypogammaglobulinemia associated with other related inborn errors of immunity. This includes patients with a defined diagnosis of Blau or Yao Syndrome.
* Must be 2 years old or greater.
* Patients with repeated infections and suspected of having an inborn error of immunity.
* Patients must be referred by their primary medical care provider.
* On investigator s discretion, unaffected family members (mother, father, siblings, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and first cousins) may be asked for the provision of blood or buccal specimens for research purposes.
* Patients who are lactating, may be eligible and will only undergo tests and procedures, and/or receive medications for which data exists that proves that they are minimal risk to the child.
* Pregnant women will not be newly enrolled onto this protocol, however existing patients who become pregnant while on study will remain on study, as literature about pregnancy in CVI patients is sparse and outside providers have minimal knowledge about managing CVI during pregnancy. Pregnant women will only undergo tests and procedures, and/or receive medications for which data exists that proves that they are minimal risk to the fetus. Pregnant unaffected relatives will not be enrolled in this study).
* All patients must be willing to have research samples stored for future studies and/or other research purposes.
* NIH staff and family members of study team members may be enrolled in this study as this population may meet study criteria. Neither participation nor refusal to participate as a subject in the research will have an effect, either beneficial or adverse, on the participant s employment or position at the NIH. Every effort will be made to protect participant information, but such information may be available in medical records and may be available to authorized users outside of the study team in both an identifiable and unidentifiable manner. The NIH investigator will provide and request that the NIH staff member review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Staff Who are Considering Participating in NIH Research and the Leavy Policy for NIH Employees Participating in NIH Medical Research Studies (NIH Policy Manual 2300-630-3).

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

* Presence of other medical illnesses that would preclude individuals from undergoing routine diagnostic testing or testing for immunologic features of immunodeficiency.
* Presence of a condition or treatment, such as HIV, cytotoxic chemotherapy or malignancy, that in the investigator s opinion could interfere with evaluation of the condition under study.
* Pregnancy at the time of enrollment.
* Inability of an adult participant to provide informed consent for themselves (decisionally impaired adult).