Immunogenicity of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine in adult patients with inborn errors of immunity.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are at increased risk of severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Effective vaccination against COVID-19 is therefore of great importance in this group, but little is known about the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in these patients. OBJECTIVES: We sought to study humoral and cellular immune responses after mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccination in adult patients with IEI. METHODS: In a prospective, controlled, multicenter study, 505 patients with IEI (common variable immunodeficiency [CVID], isolated or undefined antibody deficiencies, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, combined B- and T-cell immunodeficiency, phagocyte defects) and 192 controls were included. All participants received 2 doses of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine. Levels of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2-specific binding antibodies, neutralizing antibodies, and T-cell responses were assessed at baseline, 28 days after first vaccination, and 28 days after second vaccination. RESULTS: Seroconversion rates in patients with clinically mild antibody deficiencies and phagocyte defects were similar to those in healthy controls, but seroconversion rates in patients with more severe IEI, such as CVID and combined B- and T-cell immunodeficiency, were lower. Binding antibody titers correlated well to the presence of neutralizing antibodies. T-cell responses were comparable to those in controls in all IEI cohorts, with the exception of patients with CVID. The presence of noninfectious complications and the use of immunosuppressive drugs in patients with CVID were negatively correlated with the antibody response. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 vaccination with mRNA-1273 was immunogenic in mild antibody deficiencies and phagocyte defects and in most patients with combined B- and T-cell immunodeficiency and CVID. Lowest response was detected in patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia and in patients with CVID with noninfectious complications. The assessment of longevity of immune responses in these vulnerable patient groups will guide decision making for additional vaccinations.

IgM Deficiency in Autoimmune Blistering Mucocutaneous Diseases Following Various Treatments: Long Term Follow-Up and Relevant Observations.

IgM deficiency has been reported in patients with many autoimmune diseases treated with Rituximab (RTX). It has not been studied, in detail, in autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering diseases (AIMBD). Our objectives were: (i) Examine the dynamics of IgM levels in patients with and without RTX. (ii) Influence of reduced serum IgM levels on clinical and laboratory parameters. (iii) Explore the possible molecular and cellular basis for reduced serum IgM levels. This retrospective study that was conducted in a single-center from 2000 to 2020. Serial IgM levels were studied in 348 patients with five AIMBD (pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid, and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid) and found decreased in 55 patients treated with RTX, IVIG, and conventional immunosuppressive therapy (CIST). Hence the incidence of decreased serum IgM is low. The incidence of decreased IgM in patients treated with RTX was 19.6%, in patients treated with IVIG and CIST, it was 52.8% amongst the 55 patients. IgM levels in the post-RTX group were statistically significantly different from the IVIG group (p<0.018) and CIST group (p<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in other clinical and laboratory measures. Decreased serum IgM did not affect depletion or repopulation of CD19+ B cells. Patients in the three groups achieved clinical and serological remission, in spite of decreased IgM levels. Decrease in IgM was isolated, since IgG and IgA were normal throughout the study period. Decreased IgM persisted at the same level, while the patients were in clinical remission, for several years. In spite of persistent decreased IgM levels, the patients did not develop infections, tumors, other autoimmune diseases, or warrant hospitalization. Studies on IgM deficiency in knockout mice provided valuable insights. There is no universally accepted mechanism that defines decreased IgM levels in AIMBD. The data is complex, multifactorial, sometimes contradictory, and not well understood. Nonetheless, data in this study provides novel information that enhances our understanding of the biology of IgM in health and disease.

Is There a Clinical Significance of Very Low Serum Immunoglobulin E Level?

PURPOSE: High serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels are associated with allergies, parasitic infections, and some immune deficiencies; however, the potential effects and clinical implications of low IgE levels on the human immune system are not well-known. This study aims to determine the disorders accompanying very low IgE levels in children and adults. METHODS: The patients whose IgE levels were determined between January 2015 and September 2020 were analyzed, and the patients with an IgE level < 2 IU/mL were included in this study. Demographic data, immunoglobulin levels, autoantibody results, and the diagnoses of the patients were noted from the electronic recording system of the hospital. RESULT: The IgE levels were measured in 34,809 patients (21,875 children, 12,934 adults), and 130 patients had IgE levels < 2 IU/mL. Fifty-seven patients were children (0.26%); 73 were adults (0.56%). There was a malignant disease in 34 (9 of them children) (26%), autoimmune diseases in 20 (3 of them children) (15.4%), and immunodeficiency in 17 (14 of them children) (13.1%) of the patients. The most common reasons were other diseases, immunodeficiency and malignancy in children, and malignancy, autoimmune disorders, and other diseases in the adults, in rank order. The IgE level did not show any correlation with the levels of other immunoglobulins. CONCLUSION: Although rare, a low IgE level has been shown to accompany malignancies, autoimmune disorders, and immune deficiencies. Patients with very low IgE levels should be carefully monitored for systemic disorders.

Association of Elevated Serum Tryptase with Cutaneous Photodamage and Skin Cancers.

INTRODUCTION: Mast cells and their major protein, the serine proteinase tryptase, can be involved in cutaneous photodamage and carcinogenesis. The serum test of tryptase (S-tryptase) measures total tryptase protein (active tryptase and inactive protryptases), and S-tryptase is elevated in a variety of diseases, for example, in mastocytosis and α-tryptasemia. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to study whether S-tryptase is a marker of cutaneous photodamage and carcinogenesis. METHODS: Adult subjects (n = 399, aged 21-79) evaluated to be at risk for skin cancers were recruited at the dermatological policlinic and examined for photodamage severity, mole count, actinic keratoses (AKs), skin cancers, and immunosuppression (IS). A blood sample was analyzed for S-tryptase using the ImmunoCAP® Tryptase fluoroenzymeimmunoassay. RESULTS: There was no difference in S-tryptase between non-IS (n = 321) and IS (n = 78) subjects or between genders. S-tryptase correlated slightly to photodamage and AKs in 321 non-IS subjects, and this association can be related, in part, to the age of subjects. In 34 subjects, S-tryptase was elevated (≥13.5 ng/mL), and in 20 males, but not in 14 females, the photodamage level was significantly (p = 0.031) more severe than in 179 males with normal S-tryptase. In contrast, there were more frequently subjects (n = 12) with past or present skin cancer (basal or squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma) in 14 females with elevated S-tryptase than in 186 female controls. So far, no explanation has been found for the elevated S-tryptase. CONCLUSION: There are significant associations between elevated S-tryptase and skin carcinogenesis, but the molecular mechanisms are unclear and gender differences can exist.

A Novel STK4 Mutation Impairs T Cell Immunity Through Dysregulation of Cytokine-Induced Adhesion and Chemotaxis Genes.

PURPOSE: Human serine/threonine kinase 4 (STK4) deficiency is a rare, autosomal recessive genetic disorder leading to combined immunodeficiency; however, the extent to which immune signaling and host defense are impaired is unclear. We assessed the functional consequences of a novel, homozygous nonsense STK4 mutation (NM_006282.2:c.871C > T, p.Arg291*) identified in a pediatric patient by comparing his innate and adaptive cell-mediated and humoral immune responses with those of three heterozygous relatives and unrelated controls. METHODS: The genetic etiology was verified by whole genome and Sanger sequencing. STK4 gene and protein expression was measured by quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. Cellular abnormalities were assessed by high-throughput RT-RCR, RNA-Seq, ELISA, and flow cytometry. Antibody responses were assessed by ELISA and phage immunoprecipitation-sequencing. RESULTS: The patient exhibited partial loss of STK4 expression and complete loss of STK4 function combined with recurrent viral and bacterial infections, notably persistent Epstein-Barr virus viremia and pulmonary tuberculosis. Cellular and molecular analyses revealed abnormal fractions of T cell subsets, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and NK cells. The transcriptional responses of the patient's whole blood and PBMC samples indicated dysregulated interferon signaling, impaired T cell immunity, and increased T cell apoptosis as well as impaired regulation of cytokine-induced adhesion and leukocyte chemotaxis genes. Nonetheless, the patient had detectable vaccine-specific antibodies and IgG responses to various pathogens, consistent with a normal CD19 + B cell fraction, albeit with a distinctive antibody repertoire, largely driven by herpes virus antigens. CONCLUSION: Patients with STK4 deficiency can exhibit broad impairment of immune function extending beyond lymphoid cells.

Steady-State Serum IgG Trough Levels Are Adequate for Pharmacokinetic Assessment in Patients with Immunodeficiencies Receiving Subcutaneous Immune Globulin.

Patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases often require lifelong immunoglobulin (IG) therapy. Most clinical trials investigating IG therapies characterize serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles by serially assessing serum IgG levels. This retrospective analysis evaluated whether steady-state serum IgG trough level measurement alone is adequate for PK assessment. Based on individual patient serum IgG trough levels from two pivotal trials (phase 2/3 European [NCT01412385] and North American [NCT01218438]) of weekly 20% subcutaneous IG (SCIG; Cuvitru, Ig20Gly), trough level-predicted IgG AUC (AUCτ,tp) were calculated and compared with the reported AUC calculated from serum IgG concentration-time profiles (AUCτ). In both studies, mean AUCτ,tp values for Ig20Gly were essentially equivalent to AUCτ with point estimates of geometric mean ratio (GMR) of AUCτ,tp/AUCτ near 1.0 and 90% CIs within 0.80-1.25. In contrast, for IVIG, 10%, mean AUCτ,tp values were lower than AUCτ by >20%, (GMR [90% CI]: 0.74 [0.70-0.78] and 0.77 [0.73-0.81] for the two studies, respectively). Mean AUCτ,tp values calculated for 4 other SCIG products (based on mean IgG trough levels reported in the literature/labels) were also essentially equivalent to the reported AUCτ (differences <10% for all except HyQvia, a facilitated SCIG product), while differences for IVIG products were >20%. In conclusion, steady-state serum IgG levels following weekly SCIG remain stable, allowing for reliable prediction of AUC over the dosing interval using trough IgG levels. These findings indicate that measuring steady-state serum IgG trough levels alone may be adequate for PK assessment of weekly SCIG.

Immunodeficiency, Centromeric Region Instability, and Facial Anomalies Syndrome (ICF) in a Boy with Variable Clinical and Immunological Presentations.

Immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by recurrent infections and low immunoglobulin levels due to variable combined immunodeficiency, and centromeric region instability, and facial dysmorphism. We describe a 12-year-old boy with recurrent respiratory tract infections, facial anomalies, scoliosis, and psychomotor retardation. He had recurrent pneumonia with low serum IgG and IgM levels during infancy and preschool age. Later at the age of 10, he developed recurrent ear infections. An IgA and IgM deficiency was found accompanied by a normal B-cell and T-cell count as well as an impaired candida-induced T-cell proliferation. Further evaluations revealed a missense mutation in the DNMT3B gene on chromosome 20. Chromosomal analysis showed a sunburst multi-radial feature on chromosome 1, which is a hallmark of ICF syndrome. The genetic mutation and chromosomal abnormality along with clinical findings are compatible with the diagnosis of ICF syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that scoliosis is observed in an ICF patient. The additional variable clinical symptoms in the case were the presence of spastic gait as well as hypogammaglobulinemia with immunoglobulin isotype switch at different ages.

Are Vitamin D Levels Associated With Risk of Deep Neck Infection?

Deep neck infection (DNI) refers to infections in spaces created by superficial and deep cervical fascia around the muscles and organs in the neck. Vitamin D is highly important for an effective immune system. Vitamin D receptors (VDR) have been identified in immune system cells, and particularly in T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Vitamin D deficiency is thought to result in impaired immune response, decreased leukocyte chemotaxis, and an increased disposition to infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency is an underlying occult factor in the development of DNI. Sixty-five patients aged 6 to 90, diagnosed with DNI, and 70 healthy age- and sex-compatible cases were included in the study. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) were determined in each case. 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels above 20 ng/mL were regarded as normal, 12 to 20 ng/mL as insufficient, 5 to 12 ng/mL as deficient, and less than 5 ng/mL as severely deficient. Mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 10.4 (6.2) ng/mL in the patient group and 15.5 (6.4) ng/mL in the control group (P < .01). This difference was statistically significant (P < .01). Vitamin D was within normal limits in 9.2% (n = 6) of cases in the study group, insufficient in 29.2% (n = 19), deficient in 35.3% (n = 23), and severely deficient in 26.2% (n = 17). The equivalent values in the control group were 21.4% (n = 15), 48.5% (n = 34), 30% (n = 21), and 0% (n = 0). Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in patients with DNI compared to the healthy cases; 25(OH)D levels may be a factor in the development of DNI.

Analysis of scoring systems for primary immunodeficiency diagnosis in adult immunology clinics.

Failure to spot the signs of primary immunodeficiency (PID) often results in delayed diagnosis. Scoring systems to identify PID exist, such as the immunodeficiency disease-related (IDR) score. This research aims to analyse and improve the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the IDR scoring system in a small preselected group of adult patients referred to immunology with clinical suspicion of a PID. Records of all patients presenting for the first time to an adult immunology clinic in 2018 at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, were scored using the unmodified IDR score and modified versions of it. Included records were searched for a subsequent diagnosis of PID, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the scoring systems were analysed. Of 400 patients, 213 were excluded: 141 due to secondary immunodeficiency, 69 due to no clinical suspicion of a PID, and hence no investigation for PID, and three due to ongoing diagnostic investigations. Of 187 included patients, 71 were found to have a clinically significant PID. The unmodified IDR score was useful in discriminating between those with and without PID. Modification of the scoring system with seven additional criteria improved the sensitivity and specificity for PID diagnosis to the greatest extent. A modified IDR score with seven additional criteria validated in adults referred to immunology with suspicion of a PID could be used clinically to aid PID diagnosis, although further validation in different patient cohorts is required before it is used in other contexts.

[General concepts of humoral immune deficiencies]. / Conceptos generales de las inmunodeficiencias humorales.

Humoral immune deficiencies (HID) comprise a group of diseases characterized by the impossibility to develop an effective immune response mediated by immunoglobulins (Ig). Patients with HID have infections caused by capped extracellular bacteria, mainly in the respiratory and/or gastrointestinal tract, and a higher predisposition to suffer from autoimmune diseases and cancer. Some of them are caused by well-defined genetic defects, while the cause of others is unknown. The clinical manifestations of some HID may be late and the diagnosis is supported by laboratory tests, such as serum level of the Ig, determination of lymphocyte populations, and functional studies. Gamma-globulin replacement therapy significantly decreases serious infections. In order to achieve an early diagnosis, it is necessary to maintain a high index of suspicion and evaluate the clinical and laboratory manifestations that suggest HID. Mass sequencing technologies have favored the description of mutations in various genes that lead to a clinical HID phenotype; which paves the way to a better understanding of immune pathologies in HID.

Las inmunodeficiencias humorales (IDH) comprenden un grupo de enfermedades caracterizadas por la imposibilidad de desarrollar una respuesta inmune efectiva mediada por inmunoglobulinas. Los pacientes con IDH presentan infecciones por bacterias extracelulares encapsuladas, principalmente en el tracto respiratorio o gastrointestinal y una mayor predisposición a padecer enfermedades autoinmunes y cáncer. Algunas se originan por defectos genéticos bien definidos y en otras se desconoce la causa. Las manifestaciones clínicas de algunas IDH pueden ser tardías y el diagnóstico se apoya en pruebas de laboratorio como la concentración en suero de las inmunoglobulinas, determinación de poblaciones linfocitarias y estudios funcionales. El tratamiento de reemplazo con gammaglobulinas disminuye significativamente las infecciones graves. Para lograr un diagnóstico temprano es necesario un alto índice de sospecha y evaluar las manifestaciones clínicas y de laboratorio sugestivas de IDH. Las tecnologías de secuenciación masiva han favorecido la descripción de mutaciones en varios genes que llevan a un fenotipo clínico de IDH, con lo que se abre el camino para comprender mejor las inmunopatologías en las IDH.

Phenotypic analysis of T follicular helper and T follicular regulatory cells in primary selective IgM deficiency.

Selective IgM deficiency (SIgMD) is a rare immunodeficiency characterized by serum IgM below two standard of mean, and normal IgG and IgA levels. Both in human and mice with selective IgM deficiency, germinal centers cells are decreased. The development of germinal center and humoral immunity are regulated in part by follicular helper T (TFH) and follicular regulatory T (TFR) cells. However, the analysis of circulating TFH (cTFH) and TFR (cTFR) cells in the pathogenesis of SIgMD has not been explored. We observed lower percentage of cTFR cells in SIgMD patients than in control group. However, we did not observe any significant difference in the percentage of cTFH cells and their subsets between both experimental groups. When data were analyzed according to specific antibody response to pneumococcal polysaccharide, we observed a higher percentage of cTFH cells in SIgMD patients with specific antibody deficiency than in SIgMD patients with normal specific antibody response. Our results suggest that cTFH cells and their subsets are preserved in SIgMD patients. However, the role of lower percentage of cTFR cells in the pathogenesis of this immunodeficiency is not clear.

Are Vitamin D3 Tablets and Oil Drops Equally Effective in Raising S-25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations? A Post-Hoc Analysis of an Observational Study on Immunodeficient Patients.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D3 supplements are available as tablets or oil drops, but there is no consensus as to whether either of these preparations is more effective than the other. METHODS: We compared the effectiveness of tablets versus oil in raising S-25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25-OHD) in plasma by re-analyzing data from a previously performed observational study in which immunodeficient patients with S-25-OHD concentrations <75 nmol/L were randomly prescribed vitamin D3 tablets (1600 IU/day) or vitamin D3 oil-drops (1500 IU/day) for twelve months. Tablets and oil were compared for the effect on S-25-OHD concentrations after 3-5 months and antibiotic use. RESULTS: Data on S-25-OHD after ≥ 3 months was available for 137 patients treated with tablets and 69 with oil drops. Both groups exhibited a significant increase in S-25-OHD-oil-drops from 55 to 86 nmol/L and tablets from 52 to 87 nmol/L-with no difference between groups (p = 0.77). In a subgroup of patients without immunoglobulin replacement, vitamin D3 supplementation with oil drops (n = 34) but not with tablets (n = 60) resulted in significantly lower antibiotic administration (p < 0.001 and p = 0.58). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D3 supplementation with tablets and oil drops were equally efficient in raising S-25-OHD concentrations. Only oil drops caused a reduction in antibiotic consumption in immuno-deficient patients who did not receive immunoglobulin replacement.

Efficacy of acitretin in the treatment of reactive neutrophilic dermatoses in adult-onset immunodeficiency due to interferon-gamma autoantibody.

Reactive neutrophilic dermatoses in adult-onset immunodeficiency due to interferon-γ autoantibody (AOID) are usually associated with concomitant active opportunistic infections. Data focusing on the treatment of these dermatoses with non-immunosuppressive drugs are still lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of acitretin treatment of reactive neutrophilic dermatoses in AOID. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with AOID who had reactive neutrophilic dermatoses and had been treated with acitretin from January 2008 to December 2018. In total, 23 patients had been diagnosed with AOID, with 27 episodes of reactive neutrophilic dermatoses (20 episodes of Sweet syndrome and seven episodes of generalized pustular eruption) and treated with acitretin. The median effective dose of acitretin was 10 mg/day. The mean initial response was 5.6 ± 2.3 days. The rash had almost or completely cleared within 2 weeks in 70.4% of patients. One case had developed a reversible acitretin-induced liver injury with hepatocellular pattern. The median total duration of treatment was 3 months. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential role of acitretin as one of the treatments of choice for reactive neutrophilic dermatoses in AOID, attributable to its favorable response and good tolerability.

Leishmaniasis and Autoimmunity in Patient with LPS-Responsive Beige-Like Anchor Protein (LRBA) Deficiency.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: LPS-responsive beige-like anchor protein (LRBA) deficiency is a combined immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation. The authors present a case report of LPSresponsive beige-like anchor protein (LRBA) deficiency with the history of autoimmunity, enteropathy and visceral leishmaniasis. Sirolimus therapy was started for autoimmunity and enteropathy but was discontinued due to recurrent leishmaniasis. Therefore, a common side-effect of many immunosuppressive drugs in patients with LRBA deficiency is increased susceptibility to infections. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing was performed to detect the underlying genetic mutation and Leishmania DNA was detected by the PCR technique in this patient. RESULTS: Whole exome sequencing of the patient reported a homozygous frameshift deletion mutation in the LRBA gene (NM_006726: exon29: c.4638delC, p. S1546fs). Leishmania DNA PCR was positive in this case. CONCLUSION: Parasite infections manifestations report in LRBA deficiency. Leishmania infections in patients with chronic diarrhea and autoimmunity should be considered for immunodeficiency.

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of weekly and biweekly IgPro20 (Hizentra®) dosing in patients with primary immunodeficiency.

BACKGROUND: IgPro20 (Hizentra®), a 20% subcutaneous immunoglobulin G (IgG), is an effective treatment for patients with primary immunodeficiencies with impaired IgG production. Flexible dosing regimens of IgPro20 have been supported by pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling and simulation. This study further describes the PK characteristics of serum IgG concentrations after weekly and biweekly administration of IgPro20 and compares predicted and actual serum IgG data using a previously-developed population PK (popPK) model. METHODS: A popPK model was developed by combining data from a previously-published model with data from a Phase 4 study (IgPro20_4005). An external validation of the original model using dosing, demographics, and historic endogenous serum IgG concentrations from patients enrolled in study IgPro20_4005 was performed. This dataset was then simulated 300 times and predicted serum IgG PK characteristics compared with the observed data. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients (156 unique patients from original model and 17 patients from study IgPro20_4005) provided 4078 observations of serum IgG concentrations. The popPK estimates obtained demonstrated a clearance (% inter-individual variability) of 0.138 L/day (35%), volume of central compartment of 3.95 L (78.6%), inter-compartmental clearance of 0.260 L/day (56%), and volume of peripheral compartment of 4.44 L. Validation results indicated that observed serum IgG concentration vs time data fell within the 90% prediction intervals for median, 25th, and 75th percentiles of the simulated IgG concentration time courses. CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis validated the ability of the previously published popPK model to predict serum IgG concentration time profiles after biweekly subcutaneous IgPro20 administration.

Focusing on Good Responders to Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination in General Hospital Patients Suspected for Immunodeficiency. A Decision Tree Based on the 23-Valent Pneumococcal IgG Assay.

Background and Aim: Recently, the 23-valent IgG-assay was suggested as screening assay to identify poor responders to pneumococcal polysaccharide (PnPS)-vaccination with the serotype-specific assay as a second-line test. However, in a low pre-test probability general hospital setting predicting good responders could be more valuable to reduce the number of samples needing serotyping. Methods: Serotype-specific PnPS antibody-assays were performed for suspected immunodeficiency in two Dutch general hospitals (Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch; Elisabeth Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg). 23-Valent PnPS antibody-assays were subsequently performed in archived material. Data were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) and agreement indices (ICC). Results: Sera of 284 patients (348 samples) were included; 23-valent IgG-titres and the corresponding sum of PnPS-serotype specific antibodies showed moderate correlation (ICC = 0.63). In 232 conjugated-pneumococcal-vaccine-naïve patients (270 samples), a random 23-valent IgG-titer could discriminate between samples with and without ≥7/11, ≥7/13, or ≥6/9 pneumococcal serotypes when both cut-off values 0.35 and 1.0 µg/ml were used (AUC 0.86 and 0.92, respectively). All patients with a pre-immunization-titer ≥38.2 µg/ml and/or post-immunization-titer ≥96.1 µg/ml and none with a post-immunization-titer ≤38.5 µg/ml exhibited a good response to PnPS vaccination. Using these breakpoints as screening test to predict good responders, only 24% of patients would require further serotyping, as opposed to 68% if breakpoints to predict poor responders would have been used. Conclusion: In a low pre-test probability setting, the 23-valent IgG-assay proved to be a reliable screening test for good responders in conjugated-pneumococcal-vaccine-naïve patients, reducing the overall number of patient samples needing further serotyping, thus reducing overall costs of pneumococcal vaccination response assessment.

Antibody deficiency testing for primary immunodeficiency: A practical review for the clinician.

OBJECTIVE: To review selected published studies related to the diagnostic evaluation of antibody deficiency. DATA SOURCES: Published literature. STUDY SELECTIONS: Studies related to the diagnostic evaluation of antibody deficiency and existing recommendations were selected. RESULTS: Many primary immunodeficiency diseases include humoral deficiency. Practical tests used in the clinical evaluation of patients for possible antibody deficiency include immunoglobulin measurement, specific antibody titers, and B-cell enumeration and phenotyping. CONCLUSION: Clinically available tests can be used to readily evaluate patients for antibody deficiencies.

Pattern Recognition Molecules of the Lectin Pathway-Screening of Patients with Suspected Immunodeficiency.

PURPOSE: To compare plasma concentrations of all lectin pathway (LP) pattern recognition molecules (PRMs) in patients referred for laboratory evaluation due to recurrent infections with healthy individuals. METHODS: Patients were divided into categories according to referral: recurrent airway infections (RAI), recurrent abscesses, common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), lung transplantation candidates (LTX), and 'other causes'. LP PRMs (mannose-binding lectin (MBL), collectin liver 1 (CL-L1), H-ficolin, L-ficolin, M-ficolin) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in 332 patients and 150 healthy blood donors using time-resolved immunofluorometric assays. RESULTS: None of the LP PRMs was found in lower concentration in the patient categories; however, several PRMs were detected in higher concentrations. M-ficolin was found in higher concentrations in all patient categories. Patients suffering from RAI had higher concentrations of CL-L1 and H-ficolin. Patients suffering from abscesses exhibited higher concentrations of MBL and CL-L1, whereas LTX had higher concentrations of MBL. Patients with other causes of referral had higher concentrations of MBL and CL-L1. Prevalence of combined deficiencies of PRMs in patient categories and controls did not differ. CRP was used as a marker of ongoing inflammation and was significantly higher among all patient categories. Furthermore, CRP was found to correlate with both M-ficolin and L-ficolin. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that neither single nor combined deficiencies of LP PRMs are more frequent among patients referred for an immunological evaluation than in healthy individuals. Future studies are needed and should focus on deficiencies of LP PRMs combined with deficiencies in other parts of the immune system.