JOINT DISEASE IN CHILDREN WITH X-LINKED AGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA

Abstract

Patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) are prone to recurrent bacterial infections due to low levels of immunoglobulins. Clinical symptoms include recurrent bacterial otitis media, bronchitis, pneumonia, meningitis, skin infection and arthritis. In the majority of cases arthritis can be shown to be caused by infection, but also aseptic arthritis and autoimmune diseases may be present. Monoarthritis and oligoarthritis is usual pattern, although polyarthritis may occur. We present diagnostic and therapeutic problems in two cases with agammaglobulinemia and arthritis.