Evaluation of Growth and Bone Metabolism in Adolescent Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common symptomatic primary immunodeficiency, resulting in increased susceptibility to infections and diminished responses to protein and polysaccharide vaccines. Most common infections are sinopulmonary caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, Klebsiella pneumonia and sometimes mycoplasma. An intrinsic B cell defect; inability to differentiate to plasma cells and secrete immunoglobulins, has been most commonly observed in terms of pathogenesis. Many defects in T cells have also been noted in patients with CVID.

Xeroderma Pigmentosum: A Case Report of Two Siblings

Xeroderma Pigmentosum (literally means dry pigmented skin) is defined by extreme sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in sunburn, pigment changes in the skin and greatly elevated incidence of skin cancers (Alan R Lehman et al.). Herba and Kaposi first described Xeroderma Pigmentosum in 1974. Kramer et al. found an equal sex predilection and significant parental consanguinity, confirming an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. The incidence of XP seems to vary across the globe. The incidence reported in US and Europe is 1:250000 and in Japan and other countries at a higher frequency 1:40000. Its incidence is not that significant in context to the other part of the world. The basic defect underlying the clinical manifestations is a nucleotide excision repair (NER) defect leading to a defective repair of DNA damaged by ultra violet (UV) radiation. Historically, the disease was classifies as classical XP with only skin abnormalities and the De-Sanctis-Cacchione syndrome with skin abnormalities and extreme neurological degeneration was evident.

Training the Defense System for Modern-Day Warfare: The Horizons for Immunotherapy and Vaccines for Cancer

Our defense system also known as the immune system is built to fight the invaders both from inside as well as from outside. With the advent of industrialization of our food system and with the constantly evolving environment where we live, the immune system is challenged with ever increasing permutation and combinations of both outside and inside invaders. In our opinion any kind of diseases are related to immunodeficiency to fight it by the host defense system. Cancer is among the most challenging inside invaders that our immune system encounters. Since the immune system is naturally built to protect the host integrity and fight different diseases including cancer, it would be worthwhile and attractive avenue to find the cure for this deadly disease.

A Potential Role for Host-Microbe Dysbiosis in Enteropathy Associated with HIV Infection

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection progressively depletes CD4+ T-lymphocytes from the immune system and, in the absence of treatment, leads to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) harbors a majority of the body’s lymphocytes and is an early and important mucosal target of HIV infection. The massive and rapid depletion of CD4+ T cells from GALT in primary HIV infection is presumed to be an underlying cause of a progressive deterioration of intestinal immune and digestive functions collectively termed “enteropathy”. The most common clinical manifestations of HIV-associated enteropathy, diarrhea and malnutrition, have a devastating impact on the day-today lives of millions of patients world-wide.