X-linked agammaglobulinemia

Overview

X-linked agammaglobulinemia (a-gam-uh-glob-u-lih-NEE-me-uh), also called XLA, is an immune system disorder that's passed through families, called inherited. XLA makes it hard to fight infections. People with XLA might get infections of the inner ear, sinuses, respiratory tract, bloodstream and internal organs.

XLA almost always affects males. But females can carry the genes linked to the condition. Most people with XLA are diagnosed in infancy or early childhood, after they've had repeated infections. Some people aren't diagnosed until they're adults.

Symptoms

Most babies with XLA appear healthy for the first few months. They're protected by the proteins called antibodies they got from their mothers before birth.

When these antibodies leave their systems, the babies begin to get repeat bacterial infections. The infections can be life-threatening. Infections might involve the ears, lungs, sinuses and skin.

Male infants born with XLA have:

• Very small tonsils.
• Small or no lymph nodes.

Causes

X-linked agammaglobulinemia is caused by a change in a gene. People with the condition can't produce proteins called antibodies that fight infection. About 40% of people with the condition have a family member who has it.

Complications

People with XLA can live mostly typical lives. They should try to take part in regular activities for their ages. But repeat infections linked to XLA will likely need careful watching and treatment. They can damage organs and be life-threatening.

Possible complications include:

• Long-lasting, called chronic, lung disease.
• Increased risk of certain cancers.
• Infectious arthritis.
• Increased risk of central nervous system infections from live vaccines.

Living with x-linked agammaglobulinemia?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Blood Cancers & Disorders support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community.

Blood Cancers & Disorders Discussions

See more discussions