| T cell deficiency | |
| Field: | Immunology |
| Symptoms: | Eczematous |
| Types: | Primary or Secondary |
| Diagnosis: | Delayed hypersensitivity skin test, T cell count |
| Treatment: | Bone marrow transplant, Immunoglobulin replacement |
T cell deficiency is a deficiency of T cells, caused by decreased function of individual T cells, it causes an immunodeficiency of cell-mediated immunity. T cells normal function is to help with the human body's immunity, they are one of the two primary types of lymphocytes(the other being B cells).
Presentations differ among causes, but T cell insufficiency generally manifests as unusually severe common viral infections (respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus), diarrhea, and eczematous or erythrodermatous rashes. Failure to thrive and cachexia are later signs of a T-cell deficiency.
In terms of the normal mechanism of T cell we find that it is a type of white blood cell that has an important role in immunity, and is made from thymocytes.[1] One sees in the partial disorder of T cells that happen due to cell signaling defects, are usually caused by hypomorphic gene defects.[2] Generally, (micro)deletion of 22Q11.2 is the most often seen.[3]
The main pathogens of concern in T cell deficiencies are intracellular pathogens, including Herpes simplex virus, Mycobacterium and Listeria.[4] Also, intracellular fungal infections are also more common and severe in T cell deficiencies.[4] Other intracellular pathogens of major concern in T cell deficiency are:
The diagnosis of T cell deficiency can be ascertained in those individuals with this condition via the following:[5] [6]
In terms of the management of T cell deficiency for those individuals with this condition the following can be applied:[9] [8]
In the U.S. this defect occurs in about 1 in 70,000, with the majority of cases presenting in early life.[8] Furthermore, SCID has an incidence of approximately 1 in 66,000 in California.[10]