Immune deficiency and autoimmunity

Immunodeficiency and autoimmune phenomena may occur concomitantly in the same individual. Many immune deficiency syndromes, mainly humoral defects, are associated with autoimmune disorders. Hematological manifestations, such as thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia, are the most common presentation, but many other autoimmune mediated conditions have also been described. Persistent antigen stimulation, due to an inherently defective immune system ability to eradicate pathogenesis is the primary cause leading to autoimmunity in patients with primary immunodeficiency states. Other factors leading to the increase incidence of autoimmune manifestion will be discussed in the present review. Treatment with intravenous gammagluobuilin may ameliorate the autoimmune disorder and bone marrow transplantation can cure both conditions. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.