Genomic Testing Identifies Monogenic Causes in Patients with Very Early-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multi-center Survey in an Iranian Cohort.

Patients with very early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD) may present because of underlying monogenic inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Strong differences have been observed in the causes of monogenic IBD among ethnic populations. This multi-center study was carried out on 16 Iranian patients with VEO-IBD. We reviewed clinical and basic immunologic evaluation including flow cytometry and immunoglobulin levels. All patients underwent clinical whole exome sequencing (WES). Sixteen patients (8 females and 8 males) with a median age of 43.5 months were enrolled. The median age at the onset of symptoms was 4 months. Most patients (12, 75%) had consanguineous parents. Chronic non-bloody diarrhea (13, 81.3%) and perianal diseases including perianal abscess (6, 37.5%), anal fissure (6, 37.5%), or anal fistula (2, 12.5%) were the most common manifestations. WES identified a spectrum of genetic variants in 13 patients (81.3%): IL10RB (6, 37.5%), MVK (3, 18.8%), and CASP8, SLC35C1, G6PC3, and IKBKB in one patient, respectively. In 3 patients (18.7%) no variant was identified. Flow cytometry identified a spectrum of abnormalities that helped to assess the evidence of genetic diagnosis. At the end of the survey, 3 (18.8%) patients were deceased. This high rate of monogenic defects with a broad spectrum of genes reiterates the importance of investigating IEI in patients with infantile-onset IBD.

Genetic, immunologic, and clinical features of 830 patients with Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD): A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD) is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by vulnerability to weakly virulent mycobacterial species, including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccines and environmental mycobacteria. OBJECTIVE: We sought to perform a systematic review of the genetic, immunologic, and clinical findings for reported patients with MSMD. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for publications in English relating to MSMD. All full texts were evaluated for eligibility for inclusion. Two reviewers independently selected the publications, with a third reviewer consulted in cases of disagreement. RESULTS: A primary systematic search and searches of other resources identified 16,155 articles. In total, 158 articles from 63 countries were included in qualitative and quantitative analyses. In total, 830 patients-436 males (52.5%), 369 females (44.5%), and 25 patients of unknown sex (3.0%)-from 581 families were evaluated. A positive family history was reported in 347 patients (45.5%). The patients had a mean age of 10.41 ± 0.42 (SEM) years. The frequency of MSMD was highest in Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Lymphadenopathy was the most common clinical manifestation of MSMD, reported in 378 (45.5%) cases and multifocal in 35.1%. Fever, organomegaly, and sepsis were the next most frequent findings, reported in 251 (30.2%), 206 (24.8%), and 171 (20.8%) cases, respectively. In total, 299 unique mutations in 21 genes known to be involved in MSMD were reported: 100 missense (34%), 80 indel-frameshift (insertion or deletion, 27%), 53 nonsense (18%), 35 splice site (12%), 10 indel-in frame (2.7%), 6 indel (2%), and 15 large deletion/duplication mutations. Finally, 61% of the reported patients with MSMD had mutations of IL12RB1 (41%) or IFNGR1 (20%). At the time of the report, 177 of the patients (21.3%) were dead and 597 (71.9%) were still alive. CONCLUSIONS: MSMD is associated with a high mortality rate, mostly due to impaired control of infection. Preexposure strategies, such as changes in vaccination policy in endemic areas, the establishment of a worldwide registry of patients with MSMD, and precise follow-up over generations in affected families, appear to be vital to decrease MSMD-related mortality.

Clinical heterogeneity in families with multiple cases of inborn errors of immunity.

BACKGROUND: Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are a diverse range of genetic immune system illnesses affecting the innate and/or adaptive immune systems. Variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance have been reported in IEI patients with similar clinical diagnoses or even the same genetic mutation. METHODS: Among all recorded patients in the national IEI registry, 193 families with multiple cases have been recognized. Clinical, laboratory and genetic variability were compared between 451 patients with different IEI entities. RESULTS: The diagnosis of the first children led to the earlier diagnosis, lower diagnostic delay, timely treatment and improved survival in the second children in the majority of IEI. The highest discordance in familial lymphoproliferation, autoimmunity and malignancy were respectively observed in STK4 deficiency, DNMT3B deficiency and ATM deficiency. Regarding immunological heterogeneity within a unique family with multiple cases of IEI, the highest discordance in CD3+, CD4+, CD19+, IgM and IgA levels was observed in syndromic combined immunodeficiencies (CID), while non-syndromic CID particularly severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) manifested the highest discordance in IgG levels. Identification of the first ATM-deficient patient can lead to improved care and better survival in the next IEI children from the same family. CONCLUSION: Intrafamilial heterogeneity in immunological and/or clinical features could be observed in families with multiple cases of IEI indicating the indisputable role of appropriate treatment and preventive environmental factors besides specific gene mutations in the variable observed penetrance or expressivity of the disease. This also emphasizes the importance of implementing genetic evaluation in all members of a family with a history of IEI even if there is no suspicion of an underlying IEI as other factors besides the underlying genetic defects might cause a milder phenotype or delay in presentation of clinical features. Thus, affected patients could be timely diagnosed and treated, and their quality of life and survival would improve.

CARD9 deficiency with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)-like presentation: a case report.

PURPOSE: We present a patient with CARD9 deficiency and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)-like presentation. METHODS: Following medical history taking and routine laboratory investigations, an inborn error of immunity was suspected, and the responsible variant was identified using Whole Exome Sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: A 14-year-old Iranian female presented with a history of chest pain, productive cough, dyspnea, malaise, and recurrent fever. Imaging by computed tomography (CT scan), chest X-ray (CXR), bronchoscopy, transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), and histopathology findings led to a diagnosis of ABPA-like presentation. The genetic study showed an autosomal recessive homozygous mutation in the CARD9 gene. Clinical remission was achieved following the administration of voriconazole, which was continued as prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first-time report of a patient with inherited CARD9 deficiency and ABPA-like presentation due to Aspergillus Terrus. This study paves the way to elucidate immunological mechanisms underlying CARD9 deficiency and aspergillosis.

Clinical Course, Therapeutic Management and Outcome of Coronavirus Disease in Patients With Inborn Errors of Immunity: A Retrospective Multicenter Experience From Iran.

BACKGROUND: Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are characterized by defects in the structure and function of the immune system. This study was designed to assess the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on this potentially particularly susceptible group of patients. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed patients from 3 referral immunodeficiency centers in Iran. The demographic, clinical, laboratory and therapeutical data of confirmed IEI patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 19 IEI patients, 52.6% male and 47.4% female, with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were enrolled. The most common diagnosed IEIs were (severe) combined immunodeficiency ((S)CID) (9, 47.4%) and predominantly antibody deficiencies (7, 36.8%). The main presenting symptoms included fever (16, 84.2%), cough (12, 63.2%), dyspnea (9, 47.4%) and myalgia (8, 42.1%). Among additional preexisting comorbidities, atopy ( P = 0.087) and renal disorders ( P = 0.087) were more strongly associated with the development of respiratory failure, although not statistically significant. SARS-CoV-2 infection was determined by polymerase chain reaction (n = 19, 100%) within a median (interquartile range) of 1 (0-6) days following admission. Among all laboratory indices, thrombocytopenia ( P = 0.009) was associated with a need for intensive care unit admission. The overall mortality rate was 36.9% and highest among (S)CID patients (4, 44.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Severe COVID-19 most frequently affected (S)CID and predominantly antibody deficiencies patients among this multicenter Iranian cohort. Further studies are required to evaluate the impact of additional preexisting comorbidities and the development of thrombocytopenia on the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 in IEIs.

Interventional pulmonary procedures and their outcomes in patients with STAT3 hyper IgE syndrome.

BACKGROUND: STAT3 hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (STAT3-HIES) also referred to as autosomal dominant HIES (AD-HIES) is an inborn error of immunity characterized by the classic triad of eczema, frequent opportunistic infections, and elevated serum IgE levels. As a consequence of lung sequels due to repeated infections and impaired tissue healing, patients may require interventional pulmonary procedures. METHOD: Four patients with dominant-negative STAT3 mutations who had received interventional pulmonary procedures were enrolled. The demographic, clinical, and molecular characteristics were gathered through a medical record search. All reported STAT3-HIES patients in the literature requiring pulmonary procedures as part of their treatment were reviewed. RESULT: Recurrent episodes of pneumonia and lung abscess were the most prevalent symptoms. The most common non-immunological features were scoliosis, failure to thrive, and dental problems such as primary teeth retention and disseminated decays. Bronchiectasis, lung abscess, pneumatocele, and cavitary lesion were the most prevalent finding on high-resolution computed tomography at the earliest recording. All patients underwent pulmonary surgery and two of them experienced complications. CONCLUSION: Patients with STAT3-HIES have marked pulmonary infection susceptibility which may necessitate thoracic surgeries. Since surgical procedures involve a high risk of complication, surgical options are recommended to be utilized only in cases of drug resistance or emergencies.

A novel X-linked mutation in IL2RG associated with early-onset inflammatory bowel disease: a case report of twin brothers.

BACKGROUND: X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency is caused by IL2RG gene mutation. Several variations have been identified in the IL2RG gene, which potentially can prevent the production of nonfunctional proteins. Herein, a novel X-linked variant in the IL2RG gene is reported in twin brothers, associated with inflammatory bowel symptoms. CASE PRESENTATION: The patients were 26-month-old monozygotic twin middle-eastern males with failure to thrive and several inpatient admissions due to severe chronic nonbloody diarrhea that started at the age of 12 months. Pancolitis was revealed after performing upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies on the twin with more severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Flow cytometric evaluation of the peripheral blood cells showed low levels of CD4+ cells in both patients. Next generation sequencing-based gene panel test results of the two patients proved a novel heterozygous missense X-linked IL2RG mutation (70330011 A > G, p.Trp197Arg) in one of the patients, which was predicted to be deleterious (CADD score of 28), which soon after was confirmed by Sanger segregation in his twin brother. Both parents were wild types and had never experienced similar symptoms. The patients received an human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched cord blood transplant. The twin with more severe gastrointestinal symptoms died 1 month after transplantation. In his brother, watery diarrhea eventually subsided after transplantation. CONCLUSION: Intestinal involvement in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency is a rare presentation that might be neglected. The increasing availability of genetic screening tests worldwide could be helpful for early detection of such lethal primary immunodeficiency diseases and in implementing effective interventions to handle the severe outcomes.

Autoimmune versus Non-autoimmune Cutaneous Features in Monogenic Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity.

Cutaneous manifestations are one of the most common presentations among patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI). These skin manifestations are often among the first presenting features in the majority of patients preceding the IEI diagnosis. We studied 521 available monogenic patients with IEI listed in the Iranian IEI registry up to November 2022. We extracted each patient's demographic information, detailed clinical history of cutaneous manifestations, and immunologic evaluations. The patients were then categorized and compared based on their phenotypical classifications provided by the International Union of Immunological Societies. Most patients were categorized into syndromic combined immunodeficiency (25.1%), non-syndromic combined immunodeficiency (24.4%), predominantly antibody deficiency (20.7%), and diseases of immune dysregulation (20.5%). In total, 227 patients developed skin manifestations at a median (IQR) age of 2.0 (0.5-5.2) years; a total of 66 (40.7%) of these patients initially presented with these manifestations. Patients with cutaneous involvement were generally older at the time of diagnosis [5.0 (1.6-8.0) vs. 3.0 (1.0-7.0) years; p = 0.022]. Consanguinity was more common among patients who developed skin disorders (81.4% vs. 65.2%, p < 0.001). The overall skin infection rate and the type of dominant pathogens were significantly different among the IEI patients in different phenotypical classifications (p < 0.001). Atopic presentation, including urticaria, was highly prevalent among patients with congenital defects of phagocytes (p = 0.020). The frequency of eczema was also significantly higher among cases with both syndromic and non-syndromic combined immunodeficiency (p = 0.009). In contrast, autoimmune cutaneous manifestations, including alopecia and psoriasis, were most common in patients with immune dysregulation (p = 0.001) and defects in intrinsic or innate immunity (p = 0.031), respectively. The presence of autoimmune cutaneous complications significantly improved the survival rate of IEI patients (p = 0.21). In conclusion, cutaneous manifestations were observed in nearly 44% of Iranian patients with monogenic IEI. A considerable number of patients with cutaneous involvements developed these disorders as their first manifestation of the disease, which was particularly noticeable in patients with non-syndromic combined immunodeficiency and phagocytic defects. The neglected skin disorders in IEI patients might delay diagnosis, which is generally established within a 3-year interval from the development of skin-related problems. Cutaneous disorders, especially autoimmune features, might indicate a mild prognosis in IEI patients.

The Autoimmune Manifestations in Patients with Genetic Defects in the B Cell Development and Differentiation Stages.

PURPOSE: Primary B cell defects manifesting as predominantly antibody deficiencies result from variable inborn errors of the B cell lineage and their development, including impairments in early bone marrow development, class switch recombination (CSR), or terminal B cell differentiation. In this study, we aimed to investigate autoimmunity in monogenic patients with B cell development and differentiation defects. METHODS: Patients with known genetic defects in the B cell development and differentiation were recruited from the Iranian inborn errors of immunity registry. RESULTS: A total of 393 patients with a known genetic defect in the B cell development and differentiation (257 males; 65.4%) with a median age of 12 (6-20) years were enrolled in this study. After categorizing patients, 109 patients had intrinsic B cell defects. More than half of the patients had defects in one of the ATM (85 patients), BTK (76 patients), LRBA (34 patients), and DOCK8 (33 patients) genes. Fifteen patients (3.8%) showed autoimmune complications as their first manifestation. During the course of the disease, autoimmunity was reported in 81 (20.6%) patients at a median age of 4 (2-7) years, among which 65 patients had mixed intrinsic and extrinsic and 16 had intrinsic B cell defects. The comparison between patients with the mentioned four main gene defects showed that the patient group with LRBA defect had a significantly higher frequency of autoimmunity compared to those with other gene defects. Based on the B cell defect stage, 13% of patients with early B cell defect, 17% of patients with CSR defect, and 40% of patients who had terminal B cell defect presented at least one type of autoimmunity. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that gene mutations involved in human B cell terminal stage development mainly LRBA gene defect have the highest association with autoimmunity.

Human IL-23 is essential for IFN-γ-dependent immunity to mycobacteria.

Patients with autosomal recessive (AR) IL-12p40 or IL-12Rß1 deficiency display Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD) due to impaired IFN-γ production and, less commonly, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) due to impaired IL-17A/F production. We report six patients from four kindreds with AR IL-23R deficiency. These patients are homozygous for one of four different loss-of-function IL23R variants. All six patients have a history of MSMD, but only two suffered from CMC. We show that IL-23 induces IL-17A only in MAIT cells, possibly contributing to the incomplete penetrance of CMC in patients unresponsive to IL-23. By contrast, IL-23 is required for both baseline and Mycobacterium-inducible IFN-γ immunity in both Vδ2+ γδ T and MAIT cells, probably contributing to the higher penetrance of MSMD in these patients. Human IL-23 appears to contribute to IL-17A/F-dependent immunity to Candida in a single lymphocyte subset but is required for IFN-γ-dependent immunity to Mycobacterium in at least two lymphocyte subsets.

Autoimmunity in monogenic combined immune deficiencies with associated or syndromic features.

Background: Combined immune deficiencies (CIDs) with associated or syndromic features are a highly heterogeneous subgroup of inherited immune disorders. These patients represent specific clinical complications with an increased risk of autoimmune conditions. Methods: We analyzed data of monogenic patients with syndromic CIDs adopted from the Iranian inborn errors of immunity registry up to January 2022. A comprehensive comparison in terms of demographic, clinical, and immunological features was performed between patients with and without autoimmunity and also among four mutation groups with the most registered cases including ATM, STAT3 (AD-LOF), DNMT3B/ZBTB24, and WAS mutations. Results: A total of 137 patients with monogenic syndromic CIDs were included. Most commonly mutated genes were the ATM [80 (58.4%)] and STAT3 (AD-LOF) [19 (13.9%)], followed by DNMT3B [11 (8%)], and WAS [11 (8%)]. More than 18% of all patients with syndromic CIDs, including most DNMT3B/ZBTB24 mutations patients, were clinically diagnosed with antibody deficiencies before genetic evaluation. Patients with ATM and WAS mutations had the latest age of onset and the lowest age of diagnosis, respectively. Autoimmune disorders were diagnosed in 24 patients at a median age of 3.5 (2.6-6.0) years, 70.6% of which were diagnosed prior to the diagnosis of immunodeficiency. Lymphoproliferation, particularly hepatosplenomegaly, was significantly higher in patients with autoimmunity (p=0.004). Syndromic CID patients with autoimmunity had significantly lower IgG levels. Hematologic autoimmunity mainly immune thrombocytopenic purpura was the most frequent autoimmunity among major groups of ATM, STAT3 (AD-LOF), DNMT3B/ZBTB24, and WAS mutations, however ATM-mutated patients present more diversified involved organs including rheumatologic, gastrointestinal and dermatologic autoimmunity. Conclusion: About 18% of patients with monogenic syndromic CIDs developed autoimmunity, mainly in the form of hematological immune diseases. Autoimmunity could be an early-onset involvement with a potential diagnostic impact on suspicious cases of syndromic CIDs.

Fibrosing mediastinitis in a child with Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease possibly due to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin.

BACKGROUND: Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD) is an uncommon disorder with increased susceptibility to less virulent mycobacteria including bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM) is also a rare condition defined by excessive fibrotic reactions in the mediastinum. So far, some infectious organisms and autoimmune diseases have been introduced as possible etiologies of FM. However, no study has ever discussed the possible association of BCG infection and FM. CASE PRESENTATION: In this study, we report a 3-year-old female presenting with persistent fever, weakness, and bloody diarrhea in addition to mediastinal lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and pleural and pericardial effusion. Further examinations established a diagnosis of MSMD based on her clinical condition, immunologic data, positive tests for mycobacterial species, positive family history, and genetic study (IL12RB1 gene, c.G1193C, p.W398S). A year and a half later, she was referred with submandibular lymphadenitis and underwent immunologic work-up which revealed high inflammatory indices, a slight reduction in numbers of CD3 + and CD4 + cells as well as elevated CD16/56 + cell count and hyperimmunoglobulinemia. Purified protein derivative (PPD), QuantiFERON, and gastric washing test were all negative. Her chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed suspicious para-aortic soft tissue and her echocardiography was indicative of strictures in superior vena cava and pulmonary veins. She further underwent chest CT angiography which confirmed FM development. Meanwhile, she has been treated with anti-mycobacterial agents and subcutaneous IFN-γ. CONCLUSION: In summary, we described a novel case of MSMD in a child presenting with granulomatous FM possibly following BCG infection. This is the first report introducing aberrant BCG infection as the underlying cause of FM. This result could assist physicians in identifying early-onset FM in suspicious cases with MSMD. However, more studies are required to support this matter.

Impaired IL-23-dependent induction of IFN-γ underlies mycobacterial disease in patients with inherited TYK2 deficiency.

Human cells homozygous for rare loss-of-expression (LOE) TYK2 alleles have impaired, but not abolished, cellular responses to IFN-α/ß (underlying viral diseases in the patients) and to IL-12 and IL-23 (underlying mycobacterial diseases). Cells homozygous for the common P1104A TYK2 allele have selectively impaired responses to IL-23 (underlying isolated mycobacterial disease). We report three new forms of TYK2 deficiency in six patients from five families homozygous for rare TYK2 alleles (R864C, G996R, G634E, or G1010D) or compound heterozygous for P1104A and a rare allele (A928V). All these missense alleles encode detectable proteins. The R864C and G1010D alleles are hypomorphic and loss-of-function (LOF), respectively, across signaling pathways. By contrast, hypomorphic G996R, G634E, and A928V mutations selectively impair responses to IL-23, like P1104A. Impairment of the IL-23-dependent induction of IFN-γ is the only mechanism of mycobacterial disease common to patients with complete TYK2 deficiency with or without TYK2 expression, partial TYK2 deficiency across signaling pathways, or rare or common partial TYK2 deficiency specific for IL-23 signaling.

Clinical, immunological, molecular and therapeutic findings in monogenic immune dysregulation diseases: Middle East and North Africa registry.

Monogenic immune dysregulation diseases (MIDD) are caused by defective immunotolerance. This study was designed to increase knowledge on the prevalence and spectrum of MIDDs, genetic patterns, and outcomes in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). MIDD patients from 11 MENA countries (Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Jordan, Qatar, and Azerbaijan) were retrospectively evaluated. 343 MIDD patients (58% males and 42% female) at a median (IQR) age of 101 (42-192) months were enrolled. The most common defective genes were LRBA (23.9%), LYST (8.2%), and RAB27A (7.9%). The most prevalent initial and overall manifestations were infections (32.2% and 75.1%), autoimmunity (18.6% and 41%), and organomegaly (13.3% and 53.8%), respectively. Treatments included immunoglobulin replacement therapy (53%), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (14.3%), immunosuppressives (36.7%), and surgery (3.5%). Twenty-nine (59.2%) patients survived HSCT. Along with infectious complications, autoimmunity and organomegaly may be the initial or predominant manifestations of MIDD.

The Effectiveness of Oral Immunotherapy in Patients with Sesame Anaphylaxis using Omalizumab.

OBJECTIVE: Sesame allergy is the most prevalent allergy to seeds. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is defined as continuous consumption of an allergen at special doses and time. Omalizumab (Anti-IgE) increases tolerance to allergens used in OIT. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a new sesame OIT protocol in patients with sesame anaphylaxis in combination with omalizumab. METHODS: In this prospective open-label interventional trial study, 11 patients with a history of sesame anaphylaxis were enrolled after confirmation by oral food challenge (OFC) test. At baseline, skin prick test (SPT) and skin prick to prick (SPP) test were performed. Serum sesame-specific IgE (sIgE) levels were measured. The maintenance phase was continued at home with daily sesame intake for 4 months. At the end of month 4, the OFC and above-mentioned tests were repeated to evaluate the treatment effectiveness. RESULTS: All 11 patients who underwent sesame OIT after 4 months could tolerate a dietary challenge of 22 ml tahini (natural sesame seed, equal to 5,000 mg of sesame protein and higher) and the average of wheal diameter in the SPT and SPP tests significantly decreased after desensitization. CONCLUSION: This OIT protocol may be a promising desensitization strategy for patients with sesame anaphylaxis. Also, omalizumab appears to have reduced the severity of reactions.

Immunophenotypic and functional analysis of lymphocyte subsets in common variable immunodeficiency patients without monogenic defects.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is accompanied by various lymphocyte abnormalities believed to be mostly responsible for disease features in patients with no diagnosed monogenic defects. Here, we evaluated the association of B and T lymphocyte abnormalities with the incidence of CVID. Twenty-six genetically unsolved CVID patients were examined for B and T lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry and CD4+ T-cell proliferation by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) test. We detected a reduction in total, naive, memory B cells and plasmablasts, and also total, naive, central memory and regulatory CD4+ T cells, besides naive CD8+ T cells. There was an increase in CD21low and transitional B cells, effector memory (EM) and terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA ) CD4+ T-cell subsets as well as total, EM, TEMRA , activated and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells among non-monogenic CVID patients. CD4+ T-cell proliferation response was reduced regarding both division index and percent divided. In conclusion, regarding the similarity of lymphocyte abnormalities between patients without genetic defects and those with monogenic defects, genetic mutations are not responsible for these specific lymphocyte changes. However, the novel correlations observed between lymphocyte alterations among genetically unsolved CVID patients may serve as a guide to predict the potential of future CVID development for hypogammaglobulinemia children.

Effective anti-mycobacterial treatment for BCG disease in patients with Mendelian Susceptibility to Mycobacterial Disease (MSMD): a case series.

BACKGROUND: Post-vaccination BCG disease typically attests to underlying inborn errors of immunity (IEIs), with the highest rates of complications in patients with Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD). However, therapeutic protocols for the management of BCG-osis (disseminated) and persistent BCG-itis (localized) are still controversial. METHODS: Twenty-four Iranian patients with MSMD (BCG-osis or BCG-itis), followed from 2009 to 2020 in Tehran, were included in the study. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, clinical features, laboratory findings, and molecular diagnosis. The therapeutic protocol sheets were prepared to contain the types and duration of anti-mycobacterial agents. RESULTS: BCG disease either as BCG-itis (33.3%) or BCG-osis (66.7%) was confirmed in all patients by positive gastric washing test (54.2%), microbial smear and culture (58.3%), or purified protein derivative (PPD) test (4.2%). The duration between BCG-osis onset and MSMD diagnosis was 21.6 months. All except three patients were initiated on second-line anti-mycobacterial agents with either a fluoroquinolone (levofloxacin: 15 mg/kg/day, ciprofloxacin: 20 mg/kg/day, ofloxacin: 15 mg/kg/day), aminoglycoside (amikacin: 10-15 mg/kg/day, streptomycin: 15 mg/kg/day), and/or macrolide (clarithromycin: 15 mg/kg/day) along with oral rifampin (10 mg/kg/day), isoniazid (15 mg/kg/day), and ethambutol (20 mg/kg/day). Three patients showed a clinical response to rifampin, despite in vitro resistance. Fourteen (58.3%) patients received also adjuvant subcutaneous IFN-γ therapy, 50 µ/m2 every other day. At the end of survey, most patients (n = 22, 91.7%) were alive and two patients died following BCG-osis and respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the early instigation of second-line anti-mycobacterial agents in MSMD patients with BCG disease.

Asthma induces psychiatric impairments in association with default mode and salience networks alteration: A resting-state EEG study.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders. There are specific brain networks responsible for emotional processes, including two important networks associated with psychiatric problems: the default mode network (DMN), which is more active in the resting state, and the salience network (SN), which is structurally connected to DMN. Although previous studies suggested that neuro-phenotypes of asthma may be recognizable by the neural activity of brain circuits, an association between the brain's functional alterations and psychiatric impairments induced by asthma remains unknown. We aimed to assess DMN and SN activity and its association with psychiatric indices and clinical parameters in asthmatic patients. Electroencephalography was recorded during the resting state with an awake and eyes-open condition in thirty-eight sex and age-matched subjects (19 atopic asthma patients and 19 healthy participants). Power spectrum and functional connectivity were computed for DMN and SN. We examined psychiatric disorders (including depression, anxiety, and stress) and pulmonary function using the DASS questionnaire and spirometry test, respectively. The results showed that DASS scores were significantly higher in asthmatic patients compared to healthy subjects. Asthmatic patients also demonstrate a significant enhancement in power and functional connectivity in the two networks. Notably, these power enhancements of the networks were correlated with psychiatric problems scores, pulmonary function, asthma duration, and poor asthma control. These results introduce new evidence for the association between altered brain activity, the existence of psychiatric disorders, and asthma-related features, including pulmonary function. Also, we provide new insights into asthma-induced inflammatory response and the importance of developing novel interventions and therapeutic strategies for managing allergic inflammation patients who suffer from concurrent psychiatric disorders.

Transmission electron microscopy study of suspected primary ciliary dyskinesia patients.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare autosomal recessive condition often presenting with chronic respiratory infections in early life. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is used to detect ciliary ultrastructural defects. In this study, we aimed to assess ciliary ultrastructural defects using quantitative methods on TEM to identify its diagnostic role in confirming PCD. Nasal samples of 67 patients, including 37 females and 30 males (20.3 ± 10.7 years old), with suspected PCD symptoms were examined by TEM. The most common presentations were bronchiectasis: 26 (38.8%), chronic sinusitis: 23 (34.3%), and recurrent lower respiratory infections: 21 (31.3%). Secondary ciliary dyskinesia, including compound cilia (41.4%) and extra-tubules (44.3%), were the most prevalent TEM finding. Twelve patients (17.9%) had hallmark diagnostic criteria for PCD (class 1) consisting of 11 (16.4%) outer and inner dynein arm (ODA and IDA) defects and only one concurrent IDA defect and microtubular disorganization. Also, 11 patients (16.4%) had probable criteria for PCD (class 2), 26 (38.8%) had other defects, and 18 (26.9%) had normal ciliary ultrastructure. Among our suspected PCD patients, the most common ultrastructural ciliary defects were extra-tubules and compound cilia. However, the most prevalent hallmark diagnostic defect confirming PCD was simultaneous defects of IDA and ODA.

A fludarabine and melphalan reduced-intensity conditioning regimen for HSCT in fifteen chronic granulomatous disease patients and a literature review.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a life-threatening immunodeficiency condition. To date, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative modality. We prospectively studied the outcomes of fifteen CGD patients undergoing HSCT with fludarabine and melphalan plus anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). Most of the donors were fully matched siblings (n = 12). Cyclosporine A and methylprednisolone were used for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. CGD diagnosis had been suspected upon clinical symptoms and was confirmed in all patients by an abnormal neutrophil functional assay. The three-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 73.3% and 46.7%, respectively. With the median follow-up time of 33.12 months, the mean OS and EFS were 42.6 and 26.8 months; respectively. Eleven patients (73.33%) achieved full donor chimerism. Two stable mixed chimerisms with no sign of the underlying disease (13.33%) and two secondary graft failure (13.33%) occurred as well. The cumulative incidence of transplant-related mortality was 23.1% and it was two times more in adults compared with children. Three years GVHD-FS (free survival) was 57.8% in all patients and it was 70% and 42.9% in children and adults, respectively. Our results indicate that fludarabine, melphalan, and ATG have relatively favorable outcomes in CGD patients. Also, we suggest that HSCT should be performed as soon as a suitably matched donor is found.