Hypogammaglobulinemia in sub-Saharan Africa: a case report and review of the literature

J Hsu, R Opoka, TC Lund

Abstract

Patients with hypogammaglobulinemia are susceptible to recurrent bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. The most common clinical manifestation includes recurrent severe infections caused by encapsulated bacteria, in which antibody opsonization is the primary defense mechanism. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of hypogammaglobulinemia in a Ugandan child in Sub-Saharan Africa. The case emphasizes the importance of including hypogammaglobulinemia in the differential diagnosis for children presenting with a history of recurrent infections.

Aim: To raise the index of clinical suspicion of hypogammaglobulinemia in an African child and allow for prompt recognition and management of hypogammaglobulinemia.

Keywords: hypogammaglobulinemia, recurrent infections, Uganda