Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease (GLILD) in Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID): A Multicenter Retrospective Study of Patients From Italian PID Referral Centers

Assessment of Sleep Disorders in Patients with CVID

Inborn errors of immunity have been associated with reduced health-related quality of life and increased fatigue. Sleep disorders, which have been shown to contribute to fatigue and other health concerns, are prevalent in the general population, but there are limited studies evaluating these conditions in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of fatigue, sleep disturbances, and sleep-disordered breathing in adults with CVID. Patients completed 4 validated, self-administered questionnaires and a 1-night disposable home sleep apnea test. Our results demonstrated increased median Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System fatigue scores of 58.7 in patients with CVID in addition to clinically significant fatigue as measured by Fatigue Severity Scale score (median, 5.2) and overall poor sleep quality based on global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score (median, 9.0). For CVID patients who completed the home sleep apnea test, 76.9% met criteria for sleep-disordered breathing with an Apnea-Hypopnea Index score of 5 or greater. The results of our study indicate that patients with CVID may have increased rates of undiagnosed sleep disorders that may contribute to increased fatigue and reduced health-related quality of life.

Granulomatous Lymphocyte Interstitial Lung Disease: A Rare Complication of Common Variable Immunodeficiency Managed With Azathioprine and Rituximab

Granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GL-ILD) is a rare, non-infectious pulmonary manifestation of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Diagnosing and managing GLILD remains challenging due to its poorly understood pathogenesis and high mortality. We present a complex case of a young female with CVID associated with lung and spinal cord involvement managed with azathioprine and rituximab.

Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease Associated With Common Variable Immunodeficiency Presenting With Respiratory Failure

This case study presents a rare occurrence of acute respiratory failure in a 17-year-old male diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD), which typically have a gradual onset. The patient initially exhibited nonspecific symptoms such as dry cough and fever but quickly progressed to severe respiratory failure despite conventional treatments. Imaging showed extensive lung abnormalities, and blood tests revealed significantly low immunoglobulin levels, indicating an underlying immunodeficiency. Treatment with high-dose steroids and immunoglobulin replacement therapy resulted in a rapid and remarkable recovery of lung function. Lung biopsies confirmed the dual diagnoses of CVID and GLILD, emphasizing the challenge of diagnosing and managing GLILD in CVID patients. This case underscores the importance of early and aggressive intervention in improving outcomes for GLILD patients with acute respiratory distress.

Pulmonary Computed Tomography Screening Frequency in Primary Antibody Deficiency

BACKGROUND

Patients with primary antibody deficiency (PAD) frequently suffer from pulmonary complications, associated with severe morbidity and mortality. Hence, regular pulmonary screening by computed tomography (CT) scanning is advised. However, predictive risk factors for pulmonary morbidity are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To identify patients with PAD at risk for pulmonary complications necessitating regular CT screening.

METHODS

A retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of patients with PAD (median follow-up 7.4 [2.3-14.8] years) was performed. CTs were scored using the modified Brody-II scoring system. Clinical and laboratory parameters were retrospectively collected. Potential risk factors were identified by univariate analysis when P < .2 and confirmed by multivariable logistic regression when P < .05.

RESULTS

The following independent risk factors for progression of airway disease (AD) were identified: (1) diagnosis of X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), (2) recurrent airway infections (2.5/year), and (3) the presence of AD at baseline. Signs of AD progression were detected in 5 of 11 patients with XLA and in 17 of 80 of the other patients with PAD. Of the 22 patients who progressed, 17 had pre-existent AD scores ≥7.0%. Increased AD scores were related to poorer forced expiratory volume in 1 second values and chronic cough. Common variable immunodeficiency and increased CD4 effector/memory cells were risk factors for an interstitial lung disease (ILD) score ≥13.0%. ILD ≥13.0% occurred in 12 of 80 patients. Signs of ILD progression were detected in 8 of 80 patients, and 4 of 8 patients showing progression had pre-existent ILD scores ≥13.0%.

CONCLUSION

We identified risk factors that distinguished patients with PAD at risk for AD and ILD presence and progression, which could guide future screening frequency; however, independent and preferably prospective validation is needed.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Ameliorated Asymptomatic Granulomatous and Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease in a Patient With XIAP Deficiency

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) deficiency is an inborn error of immunity (IEI). Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is currently the only curative therapy available for XIAP deficiency. Granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) is a common immune-related lung complication of IEIs. We present a 6-year-old boy with XIAP deficiency and GLILD. Computed tomography showed lung nodes but no symptoms. Before HCT, GLILD was not managed with immunosuppressive therapy, because he was asymptomatic. The HCT procedure was subsequently performed. The post-HCT course was uneventful; follow-up computed tomography on day 46 showed nodules had disappeared. HCT could potentially ameliorate GLILD like other inflammatory processes associated with the underlying IEIs.

Multiple-breath washout to detect lung disease in patients with inborn errors of immunity

Background

Pulmonary manifestations are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI). New and more sensitive diagnostic methods can potentially lead to earlier recognition and treatment of IEI lung disease and improve outcome. The aim of this study was to compare multiple-breath washout (MBW) and spirometry in patients with IEI and cystic fibrosis (CF) as well as healthy controls (HC) and to evaluate the sensitivity of lung clearance index (LCI) to assess lung disease in IEI.

Methods

IEI patients (n=114) were recruited from our paediatric and adult immunodeficiency outpatient clinics and compared to age-matched CF patients (n=114) and HC (n=114). MBW measurements and spirometry were performed in the study participants, and MBW testing was repeated after 63-707 days in IEI patients (n=70).

Results

The LCI was significantly higher in IEI patients than in HC (p<0.001) and significantly lower than in CF patients (p<0.001). The forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) z-score was significantly lower in IEI patients than in HC (p<0.01) and significantly higher than in CF patients (p<0.01). LCI and FEV1 z-score correlated moderately negatively in the total cohort, the IEI group and the CF group. Nineteen (20.7%) of 92 IEI patients and 35 (33.3%) of 105 CF patients had an elevated LCI but a normal FEV1 z-score. After a median of 364 days, the median LCI of 70 IEI patients increased significantly by 0.2.

Conclusion

MBW is useful to detect lung disease in IEI and is more sensitive than spirometry.

Rituximab Monotherapy Is Effective as First-Line Treatment for Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease (GLILD) in CVID Patients

Granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) represents a fatal immune dysregulatory complication in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Evidence-based diagnostic guidelines are lacking, and GLILD treatment consists in immunosuppressive drugs; nonetheless, therapeutical strategies are heterogeneous and essentially based on experts' opinions and data from small case series or case reports.We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line Rituximab monotherapy for CVID-related GLILD, by assessing symptoms and quality of life alterations, immunological parameters, pulmonary function tests, and lung computed tomography.All six GLILD patients received Rituximab infusions as a first-line treatment. Rituximab was administered at 375 mg/m2 monthly for six infusions followed by maintenance every 3 months; none of the patients experienced severe adverse events. Symptom burden and quality of life significantly improved in treated patients compared to a control group of CVID patients without GLILD. Rituximab treatment indirectly caused a trend toward reduced T-cell activation and exhaustion markers sCD25 and sTIM-3. Lung function improved in treated patients, with statistically significant increases in TLC and DLCO. Lung CT scan findings expressed by means of Baumann scoring system displayed a reduction in the entire cohort.In conclusion, first-line monotherapy with Rituximab displayed high efficacy in disease remission in all treated patients, with improvement of symptoms and amelioration of quality of life, as well as restoration of PFTs and lung CT scan findings.

Common and Uncommon CT Findings in CVID-Related GL-ILD: Correlations with Clinical Parameters, Therapeutic Decisions and Potential Implications in the Differential Diagnosis

PURPOSE

To investigate computed tomography (CT) findings of Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease (GL-ILD) in Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), also in comparison with non-GL-ILD abnormalities, correlating GL-ILD features with functional/immunological parameters and looking for GL-ILD therapy predictive elements.

METHODS

CT features of 38 GL-ILD and 38 matched non-GL-ILD subjects were retrospectively described. Correlations of GL-ILD features with functional/immunological features were assessed. A logistic regression was performed to find a predictive model of GL-ILD therapeutic decisions.

RESULTS

Most common GL-ILD CT findings were bronchiectasis, non-perilymphatic nodules, consolidations, Ground Glass Opacities (GGO), bands and enlarged lymphnodes. GL-ILD was usually predominant in lower fields. Multiple small nodules (≤10 mm), consolidations, reticulations and fibrotic ILD are more indicative of GL-ILD. Bronchiectasis, GGO, Reticulations and fibrotic ILD correlated with decreased lung performance. Bronchiectasis, GGO and fibrotic ILD were associated with low IgA levels, whereas high CD4+ T cells percentage was related to GGO. Twenty out of 38 patients underwent GL-ILD therapy. A model combining Marginal Zone (MZ) B cells percentage, IgA levels, lower field consolidations and lymphnodes enlargement showed a good discriminatory capacity with regards to GL-ILD treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

GL-ILD is a lower field predominant disease, commonly characterized by bronchiectasis, non-perilymphatic small nodules, consolidations, GGO and bands. Multiple small nodules, consolidations, reticulations and fibrotic ILD may suggest the presence of GL-ILD in CVID. MZ B cells percentage, IgA levels at diagnosis, lower field consolidations and mediastinal lymphnodes enlargement may predict the need of a specific GL-ILD therapy.

The efficacy and safety of systemic corticosteroids as first line treatment for granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease

BACKGROUND

Granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (gl-ILD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with common variable immunodeficiency. Corticosteroids are recommended as first-line treatment for gl-ILD, but evidence for their efficacy is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzed the effect of high-dose corticosteroids (≥0.3 mg/kg prednisone equivalent) on gl-ILD, measured by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans, and pulmonary function test (PFT) results.

METHODS

Patients who had received high-dose corticosteroids but no other immunosuppressive therapy at the time (n = 56) and who underwent repeated HRCT scanning or PFT (n = 39) during the retrospective and/or prospective phase of the Study of Interstitial Lung Disease in Primary Antibody Deficiency (STILPAD) were included in the analysis. Patients without any immunosuppressive treatment were selected as controls (n = 23). HRCT scans were blinded, randomized, and scored using the Hartman score. Differences between the baseline and follow-up HRCT scans and PFT were analyzed.

RESULTS

Treatment with high-dose corticosteroids significantly improved HRCT scores and forced vital capacity. Carbon monoxide diffusion capacity significantly improved in both groups. Of 18 patients, for whom extended follow-up data was available, 13 achieved a long-term, maintenance therapy independent remission. All patients with relapse were retreated with corticosteroids, but only one-fifth of them responded. Two opportunistic infections were found in the corticosteroid treatment group, while overall infection rate was similar between cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Induction therapy with high-dose corticosteroids improved HRCT scans and PFT results of patients with gl-ILD and achieved long-term remission in 42% of patients. It was not associated with major side effects. Low-dose maintenance therapy provided no benefit and efficacy was poor in relapsing disease.

Diagnostic testing for interstitial lung disease in common variable immunodeficiency: a systematic review

Introduction

Common variable immunodeficiency related interstitial lung disease (CVID-ILD, also referred to as GLILD) is generally considered a manifestation of systemic immune dysregulation occurring in up to 20% of people with CVID. There is a lack of evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of CVID-ILD.

Aim

To systematically review use of diagnostic tests for assessing patients with CVID for possible ILD, and to evaluate their utility and risks.

Methods

EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched. Papers reporting information on the diagnosis of ILD in patients with CVID were included.

Results

58 studies were included. Radiology was the investigation modality most commonly used. HRCT was the most reported test, as abnormal radiology often first raised suspicion of CVID-ILD. Lung biopsy was used in 42 (72%) of studies, and surgical lung biopsy had more conclusive results compared to trans-bronchial biopsy (TBB). Analysis of broncho-alveolar lavage was reported in 24 (41%) studies, primarily to exclude infection. Pulmonary function tests, most commonly gas transfer, were widely used. However, results varied from normal to severely impaired, typically with a restrictive pattern and reduced gas transfer.

Conclusion

Consensus diagnostic criteria are urgently required to support accurate assessment and monitoring in CVID-ILD. ESID and the ERS e-GLILDnet CRC have initiated a diagnostic and management guideline through international collaboration.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022276337.

Skin disorders and interstitial lung disease: Part I-Screening, diagnosis, and therapeutic principles

Numerous inflammatory, neoplastic, and genetic skin disorders are associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD), the fibrosing inflammation of lung parenchyma that has significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the dermatologist plays a major role in the early detection and appropriate referral of patients at risk for ILD. Part 1 of this 2-part CME outlines the pathophysiology of ILD and focuses on clinical screening and therapeutic principles applicable to dermatological patients who are at risk for ILD. Patients with clinical symptoms of ILD should be screened with pulmonary function tests and high-resolution chest computed tomography. Screening for pulmonary hypertension should be considered in high-risk patients. Early identification and elimination of pulmonary risk factors, including smoking and gastroesophageal reflux disease, are essential in improving respiratory outcomes. First-line treatment interventions for ILD in a dermatological setting include mycophenolate mofetil, but the choice of therapeutic agents depends on the nature of the primary disease, the severity of ILD, and comorbidities and should be the result of a multidisciplinary assessment. Better awareness of ILD among medical dermatologists and close interdisciplinary collaborations are likely to prevent treatment delays improving long-term outcomes.

Granulomatous inflammation in inborn errors of immunity

Granulomas have been defined as inflammatory infiltrates formed by recruitment of macrophages and T cells. The three-dimensional spherical structure typically consists of a central core of tissue resident macrophages which may merge into multinucleated giant cells surrounded by T cells at the periphery. Granulomas may be triggered by infectious and non-infectious antigens. Cutaneous and visceral granulomas are common in inborn errors of immunity (IEI), particularly among patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), combined immunodeficiency (CID), and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). The estimated prevalence of granulomas in IEI ranges from 1%-4%. Infectious agents causing granulomas such Mycobacteria and Coccidioides presenting atypically may be 'sentinel' presentations for possible underlying immunodeficiency. Deep sequencing of granulomas in IEI has revealed non-classical antigens such as wild-type and RA27/3 vaccine-strain Rubella virus. Granulomas in IEI are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The heterogeneity of granuloma presentation in IEI presents challenges for mechanistic approaches to treatment. In this review, we discuss the main infectious triggers for granulomas in IEI and the major forms of IEI presenting with 'idiopathic' non-infectious granulomas. We also discuss models to study granulomatous inflammation and the impact of deep-sequencing technology while searching for infectious triggers of granulomatous inflammation. We summarize the overarching goals of management and highlight the therapeutic options reported for specific granuloma presentations in IEI.

Raised Serum Markers of T Cell Activation and Exhaustion in Granulomatous-Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease in Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Purpose

About 20–30% of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) develop granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) as one of several non-infectious complications to their immunodeficiency. The purpose of this study was to identify biomarkers that could distinguish GLILD from other non-infectious complications in CVID.

Methods

We analyzed serum biomarkers related to inflammation, pulmonary epithelium injury, fibrogenesis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and compared three subgroups of CVID: GLILD patients (n = 16), patients with other non-infectious complications (n = 37), and patients with infections only (n = 20).

Results

We found that GLILD patients had higher levels of sCD25, sTIM-3, IFN-γ, and TNF, reflecting T cell activation and exhaustion, compared to both CVID patients with other inflammatory complications and CVID with infections only. GLILD patients also had higher levels of SP-D and CC16, proteins related to pulmonary epithelium injury, as well as the ECM remodeling marker MMP-7, than patients with other non-infectious complications.

Conclusion

GLILD patients have elevated serum markers of T cell activation and exhaustion, pulmonary epithelium injury, and ECM remodeling, pointing to potentially important pathways in GLILD pathogenesis, novel targets for therapy, and promising biomarkers for clinical evaluation of these patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10875-022-01318-1.

Integrating Clinics, Laboratory, and Imaging for the Diagnosis of Common Variable Immunodeficiency-Related Granulomatous-Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease

Background

Granulomatous–lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) is a distinct clinic-radio-pathological interstitial lung disease (ILD) that develops in 9% to 30% of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Often related to extrapulmonary dysimmune disorders, it is associated with long-term lung damage and poorer clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the potential use of the integration between clinical parameters, laboratory variables, and developed CT scan scoring systems to improve the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive tools.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study of 50 CVID patients was conducted in a referral unit of primary immune deficiencies. Clinical variables including demographics and comorbidities; analytical parameters including immunoglobulin levels, lipid metabolism, and lymphocyte subpopulations; and radiological and lung function test parameters were collected. Baumann’s GLILD score system was externally validated by two observers in high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans. We developed an exploratory predictive model by elastic net and Bayesian regression, assessed its discriminative capacity, and internally validated it using bootstrap resampling.

Results

Lymphadenopathies (adjusted OR 9.42), splenomegaly (adjusted OR 6.25), Baumann’s GLILD score (adjusted OR 1.56), and CD8+ cell count (adjusted OR 0.9) were included in the model. The larger range of values of the validated Baumann’s GLILD HRCT scoring system gives it greater predictability. Cohen’s κ statistic was 0.832 (95% CI 0.70–0.90), showing high concordance between both observers. The combined model showed a very good discrimination capacity with an internally validated area under the curve (AUC) of 0.969.

Conclusion

Models integrating clinics, laboratory, and CT scan scoring methods may improve the accuracy of non-invasive diagnosis of GLILD and might even preclude aggressive diagnostic tools such as lung biopsy in selected patients.

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin use in immunoglobulin-naive patients with primary immunodeficiency: a systematic review

Aim: Identify and describe published literature on the use of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) as initial immunoglobulin (IG)-replacement therapy for patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID). Methods: We systematically identified and summarized literature in MEDLINE, Embase, BioSciences Information Service and Cochrane Library assessing efficacy/effectiveness, safety/tolerability, health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) and dosing regimens of SCIG for IG-naive patients with PID. Results: Sixteen studies were included. In IG-naive patients, SCIG managed/reduced infections and demonstrated similar pharmacokinetic parameters to IG-experienced patients; adverse events were mostly minor injection-site pain or discomfort. Three studies reported improvements in HRQoL. Quality of studies was difficult to assess due to limited reporting. Conclusion: Although studies were lacking, available data suggest IG-naive and IG-experienced patients initiating SCIG likely have similar outcomes.

Immune Dysregulation in Pediatric Common Variable Immunodeficiency: Implications for the Diagnostic Approach

Infections and infectious complications are hallmarks of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in affected patients at any age. However, the pediatric CVID is no longer perceived as a primary immunodeficiency associated solely with infectious manifestations; autoimmune, allergic, lymphoproliferative, and malignant disorders and organ-specific immunopathology also characterize the spectrum of non-infectious complications. In this study, we sought to determine the role of immune dysregulation and frequency of non-infectious sequelae in children affected with CVID. We also aimed at providing an insight into the pathogenesis of non-infectious complications and at delineating the diagnostic approach to pediatric CVID with immune dysregulation. An in-depth retrospective analysis of clinical manifestations and their correlations with selected immune parameters was performed in a group of 39 CVID children, followed by our pediatric immunology department. Whereas recurrent sinopulmonary infections were present in all (100%) of the children studied, an unexpectedly high rate of non-infectious disorders and immune dysregulation phenotypes were observed in as many as 32 (82.05%) patients, compared with infection-only phenotypes limited to 7 (17.95%) male patients. The most common inflammatory comorbidity was asthma, diagnosed in 21 (53.85%) patients. The second most frequent immune dysregulation group was autoimmune disorders, present in 18 (46.15%) of the children studied with a high rate of autoimmune thyroiditis in as many as 10 (25.64%) of the CVID-affected children. Lymphoproliferation was seen in 14 children (35.90%), and, among them, lymphadenopathy occurred in nine (23.08%) cases and granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease in seven (17.95%) cases. Finally, malignancies occurred in two female patients (5.13%), papillary thyroid cancer in the first one and T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia in the other one. The most prominent abnormalities in the B- and T-cell compartment contributing to complex immune deficiency and immune dysregulation phenotypes were seen in the autoimmunity group, showing significant reductions in the switched memory B cell, naive T helper cell, and regulatory T-cell subsets. Herein, we document the previously unreported high rate of immune dysregulation in pediatric CVID as a clinical and diagnostic challenge with the variability of defects in the humoral and cellular immune responses.

COVID-19 in complex common variable immunodeficiency patients affected by lung diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In the general population, the risk of severe COVID-19 is associated with old age, male sex, hypertension, obesity and chronic diseases. Chronic lung diseases are listed as additional risk factors for hospitalization and ICU admission. The purpose of this review is to define whether chronic lung diseases, such as bronchiectasis and interstitial diseases, represent a risk for a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients affected by common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), the most common symptomatic primary antibody defect.

RECENT FINDINGS

CVID patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic with a wide range of clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic to mild/moderate and severe COVID-19. The meta-analysis of 88 CVID cases described in large cohorts and case reports demonstrated that CVID patients with chronic lung involvement have an increased risk for severe COVID-19 in comparison to CVID without lung diseases (50 vs. 28%, relative risk 1.75, 95% confidence interval 1.04--2.92, P = 0.043). Differently from the general population, age and metabolic comorbidities did not represent a risk factor for severe course in this patient's population.

SUMMARY

Underlying chronic lung diseases but not age represent a risk factor for severe COVID-19 in CVID. Prompt therapeutic intervention should be adopted in SARS-CoV-2 positive CVID patients with chronic lung diseases independently of their age.