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Individuals with selective IgM deficiency have low levels or lack immunoglobulin M (IgM) but have normal levels of IgA, and IgG. These individuals may have no illness, whereas others develop a variety of illnesses, including infections, allergies, and autoimmunity.
Blood levels of IgM are low or absent, but IgA and IgG are normal. In some cases, IgG subclass deficiency may also be seen. One-third to one-half of individuals with selective IgM deficiency make poor responses to the Pneumovax-23 vaccine. Cellular immunity is normal. The phagocytic cell system and the complement system are also normal.
Individuals with selective IgM deficiency may be asymptomatic or symptomatic. Of those who are symptomatic, approximately 80% present with predominant bacterial infections. Among infections, the most common are chronic sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Occasionally cellulitis, sepsis, and meningitis have been observed.
Almost 40% of individuals with selective IgM deficiency have allergic diseases, including hay fever and asthma. Autoimmune diseases are observed in about one-third of all individuals with selective IgM deficiency. Autoimmune diseases are more common in adults than children with selective IgM deficiency. Some common autoimmune diseases associated with selective IgM deficiency are systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune thrombocytopenia. Autoimmune diseases of endocrine glands, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Addison’s disease, have also been seen in selective IgM deficiency.
Since the symptoms of selective IgM deficiency are similar to other antibody deficiencies, such as common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and selective IgA deficiency, selective IgM deficiency may be discovered when immunoglobulins are obtained to evaluate someone suspected of having a PI. Individuals are also identified when immunoglobulins are ordered for illnesses other than PI.
The diagnosis of partial selective IgM deficiency is made if the serum IgM level is below two standard deviations of the mean for age-matched controls. Complete selective IgM deficiency is diagnosed with serum IgM levels < 5mg/dl. A definitive diagnosis of selective IgM deficiency, especially in children, should only be established after months of follow-up. Finally, to confirm a diagnosis of primary selective IgM deficiency, other possible causes of IgM deficiency must be excluded, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and immune suppressive medications, such as Clozapine.
The inheritance pattern of selective IgM deficiency is not known because family studies have not been done. Only a few families with selective IgM deficiency have been described. A prevalence of 3 in 10,000 for complete selective IgM deficiency and 3 in 1,000 for partial selective IgM deficiency in adults has been reported. However, large-scale and several-generation family studies are needed to determine the true inheritance and prevalence of selective IgM deficiency.
The ideal treatment for selective IgM deficiency would be to replace IgM. However, no IgM-enriched immunoglobulin preparation is available in the U.S. Approximately one-third of individuals with selective IgM deficiency who have recurrent infections also have impaired IgG antibody response to vaccines. In such cases, Ig replacement therapy has been used and found to be beneficial. Recommendations for treating infections are similar to selective IgA deficiency; however, prophylactic use of antibiotics in selective IgM deficiency is generally not recommended. Allergic and autoimmune diseases are generally treated in a similar manner as those diseases in people without a PI.
In the majority of reported cases, clinical presentation is mild; however, in some cases, meningitis and sepsis have been reported. Therefore, predicting long-term outcomes for individuals with selective IgM deficiency is difficult. Serious complications are rare. Although progression to other immunodeficiencies such as CVID has not been reported, long-term follow-up with individuals is still needed. Therefore, even people with mild symptoms should be followed every six months or annually and assessed to determine if there has been a progression to another immunodeficiency, as well as for the development of any complications such as autoimmune diseases.
This page contains general medical and/or legal information that cannot be applied safely to any individual case. Medical and/or legal knowledge and practice can change rapidly. Therefore, this page should not be used as a substitute for professional medical and/or legal advice. Additionally, links to other resources and websites are shared for informational purposes only and should not be considered an endorsement by the Immune Deficiency Foundation.
Adapted from the IDF Patient & Family Handbook for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases, Sixth Edition.
Copyright ©2019 by Immune Deficiency Foundation, USA
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