COMMON VARIABLE IMMUNODEFICIENCY - HOW MANY DISEASES

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a major antibody-deficiency syndrome, leading to a significantly increased risk of bacterial infe ction, as well as autoimmune and granulomatous diseases. The clinical and immunological features are heterogeneous. Four decades have passed since it was first described and, despite considerable research, the fundamental cause(s) remain unknown. This article explores some of the problems of investigating the disease.