Immunoglobulin deficiency diseases of the intestine

Abstract

Marshak has emphasized the role of the gastrointestinal tract as a major immunologic organ and described the radiologic findings of immunoglobulin deficiency diseases of the small intestine. According to his classification the radiologic findings include multiple nodular defects, edema and increased secretions associated with Giardiasis, a sprue-like pattern, and thickened folds. In this report, the role of the intestine in the immune response is briefly reviewed and several of the radiologic features of immune deficiency diseases and those of benign nodular lymphoid hyperplasia are illustrated.

Transient lymphoid hyperplasia and hypogammaglobulinemia secondary to giardiasis

“…However, this rate of positivity is only 44% in duodenal aspirate. It has been reported that duodenal biopsy is the most sensitive method for the diagnosis of Giardiasis 2 .…”

“…It has been reported that duodenal biopsy is the most sensitive method for the diagnosis of Giardiasis. 2 Cases characterized by primary or secondary hypogammaglobulinemia associated with Giardiasis have also been reported. 2 Improved hypoglobulinemia by metronidazole treatment in our patient suggests that hypogammaglobulinemia occurs secondary to Giardiasis, rather than in association with this infection.…”

“…Giardia lamblia ( G. lamblia ) is a flagellated protozoon that is prevalent in children 1 . It causes asymptomatic infection, however it generally presents with malabsorption and/or growth retardation 2,3 . Various clinical pictures of Giardiasis have been reported, so its diagnosis can be quite challenging 3−5 .…”

“…1 It causes asymptomatic infection, however it generally presents with malabsorption and/or growth retardation. 2,3 Various clinical pictures of Giardiasis have been reported, so its diagnosis can be quite challenging. [3][4][5] Case report A 10-year-old previously healthy girl presented to Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, in April 2001, with a three-day history of swelling of her legs, abdominal pain and vomiting.…”

Spectrum of lymphoid hyperplasia: Colonic manifestations of sarcoidosis, infectious mononucleosis, and Crohn's disease

“…Kelvin and colleagues [10] found this pattern in 13% of their patient series, and demonstrated no correlation with any particular defect or with disease in general. Nonetheless, the pattern of nodular lymphoid hyperplasia has been associated in specific instances with a variety of conditions, notably dysgammaglobulinemia [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. The correlation with this latter condition, however, seems valid primarily for small bowel lymphoid hyperplasia.…”