SummaryThere are no epidemiological studies from the British Isles of chronic granulomatous disease, characterized by recurrent, life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections and inflammatory sequelae. Patients were enrolled in a national registry and medical records were analysed. Of 94 subjects, 69 had X-linked disease, 16 had autosomal recessive disease and nine were unknown. Prevalence was 7·5/million for 1990-99 and 8·5/million for 1980-89. Suppurative adenitis, abscesses and pneumonia presented commonly. Twenty-three of 30 patients who underwent high resolution computerized tomography had chronic respiratory disease. Inflammatory sequelae included bowel stricture and urogenital tract granulomata. Growth failure was common; 75% of those measured were below the population mean. All patients received prophylactic antibiotics and 93% anti-fungal prophylaxis. Interferon gamma was used to treat infection, but rarely as prophylaxis. Despite prophylaxis, estimated survival was 88% at 10 years but 55% at age 30 years. Morbidity remains significant, severe infectious complications common. Curative treatments including stem cell transplantation should be considered for patients with frequent or serious complications.

Summary:Congenital immunodeficiency in hyper IgE syndrome is characterised by a markedly raised IgE level, recurrent staphylococcal skin infection and pneumatoceles. Standard treatments include anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. We report a severely affected patient in whom successful bone marrow transplantation was followed by reappearance of the immunodeficiency. We conclude that bone marrow transplantation does not cure the immunological features of the hyper IgE syndrome. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 25, 1303-1305.

The clinical course of 10 children who have been diagnosed with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II deficiency (bare lymphocyte syndrome) in the UK over the past eight years is described. They have had a generally poor prognosis, with only two of the 10 still alive despite eight attempts at bone marrow transplantation in six patients. Overwhelming viral infection was the predominant cause of death. Alternative transplant strategies or novel therapies are required for these patients. (Arch Dis Child 2000;83:356-359)

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