Clinical and Genetic Spectrum of Inborn Errors of Immunity in a Tertiary Care Center in Southern India

Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID), also known as inborn errors of immunity (IEI), represent a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect the immune system, and often result in recurrent, persistent, or serious infections, autoinflammatory diseases, immune dysregulation leading to lymphoproliferation, autoimmune phenomenon, and development of cancer. The prevalence of IEI varies widely in different populations. Approximately 1 in 1,200 persons in the United States of America to 0.35 per 100,000 persons in Sweden [1‐6] are estimated to be affected with an IEI. Advances in molecular genetic testing have led to the recognition of an increased number of PID and nearly 430 causative genes [7, 8]. The International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) expert committee categorized 406 distinct PID into ten groups based on genetic etiology [9].

PID are expected to be more prevalent in societies where consanguineous marriages are common, such as in Asian and Middle Eastern populations [10‐14]. It is important to have registries of PID from different countries to understand the magnitude of the problem and to define precise management strategies. India does not have a national PID registry, and the exact prevalence of these disorders is unknown [15]. The earliest reports of PID from India were almost 50 y ago and were based on clinical manifestations rather than genetic testing [16].

In this study, the evaluation of PID and their distribution among children from coastal districts of Karnataka state are reported. This data should provide vital information to guide clinicians.

This is a retrospective study of patients with PID referred to Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangalore, over the last 6 y (1^st October 2013 to 30^th September 2019). The Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC KMCMLR 01/2020–70) approved the study. Clinical symptoms, signs, demographic data, age at onset, age at diagnosis, family history, consanguinity, reasons for referral, final diagnosis, and survival rates were retrieved from the medical records.

Complete hemogram, and serum immunoglobulin levels were performed in all the affected individuals. Lymphocyte subpopulations, nitroblue tetrazolium test (NBT)/dihydro rhodamine (DHR) tests were performed when indicated. Bone marrow examination, ferritin level, autoimmune workup (ANA, C3 level, direct Coombs test), anticomplement factor H antibodies, IL-12 receptor beta assay, DOCK8, WAS protein expression by flow cytometry were performed in selected patients wherever warranted by clinical judgment and affordability. Antibody response to vaccines was not assessed in any of the patients included in the study. Initial screening for PID was performed using the Jeffrey Modell Foundation’s 10 warning signs of immune deficiency [17], and was diagnosed as per the criteria laid down by the European Society of Immunodeficiency disorders (ESID) working parties registry [18]. All the affected individuals fulfilling the ESID criteria of clinical diagnosis of PID were classified using the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) phenotypic classification for PID [8, 9].

All the affected individuals who met the criteria were offered a molecular testing on genomic DNA extracted from blood, which was performed either by using targeted gene sequencing panel or whole exome sequencing, based on the test availability and affordability. Sequencing of selected genes was performed in a few patients. Familial segregation was confirmed by Sanger sequencing of the parents’ samples for the disease-causing variants whenever possible. The HGVS nomenclature for the variants and American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines for their interpretation were followed.

Two hundred and twenty-five patients were referred to the authors’ tertiary care referral hospital of their region for evaluation of a PID. The referrals increased over time. One hundred sixty-nine children met the criteria for clinical diagnosis of a PID as per ESID (working definition of clinical diagnosis) criteria (Table 1); however, molecular genetic tests in 6 children established an alternate diagnosis. Finally, 163 children are described in this work. The most common reasons for referral were: recurrent and severe infections in 45 patients (28%), cytopenia in 26 (16%), and pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) in 18 (11%).

Genetic testing was performed in a total of 58 children. Results are awaited for nine children while writing this manuscript. Out of 49 children, Whole exome sequencing was performed for 23 patients, gene panel testing for 12 patients, and 14 individuals underwent Sanger sequencing. An alternate genetic diagnoses were observed in six children on genetic testing: Wolman disease (1), Gaucher disease (1), Osteopetrosis (1), congenital vitamin B12 deficiency (2) and Myelodysplastic syndrome with acute myeloid leukaemia (1).

Genetic testing was nondiagnostic in thirteen children: suspected MSMD (2), hyper-IgE syndrome (2), severe congenital neutropenia (2), hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (1), hyper-IgM (1), chronic granulomatous disease (1), combined immunodeficiency (1), unclassified immune dysregulation (1), C1q deficiency (1), and IL17 pathway defect (1). Details of molecular genetic test results of 30 children with diagnosis of PID are provided in Table 2.

According to IUIS classification [19], group IV diseases of immune dysregulation were seen in 31/163 (19%) of patients and was the most common category in the present cohort, followed by group III predominant antibody deficiencies in 23/163 (14%) (Table 3). The clinical features and the tests performed in the present cohort to diagnose most frequent types of PID according to their category are described in the Supplementary material, which is available online.

Among the disease causing (pathogenic) variants, 5 variants out of the 25 found are novel, and the remaining (20/25) have been reported previously in the literature. The variants, p.(Leu482Arg) and p.(Trp563GlyfsTer6) of BTK, p.(Gln1263Ter) of LYST, p.(Tyr186Ter) of RORC and p.(Met329Lys) of STAT3 are novel variants. These variants are not present in the gnomAD population database and are predicted to be disease causing by pathogenicity prediction software. In terms of treatment, only two patients (severe combined immunodeficiency and Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Among 146 children at the last follow-up, 110 (75%) were alive and 36 (25%) deceased. The survival status of remaining 17 children is not known, as they lost to follow-up.

In this study, clinical, immunological, and genetic characteristics of a cohort of patients referred for evaluation for an IEI is described. The present study showed that the patients displayed recurrent infections, cytopenia, PUO, eczema, lymphadenopathy, recurrent oral thrush, or multifocal tuberculosis as the main reasons for their referral. It is interesting to note that 13 out of 29 children with identified rare variants in known IEI-causing genes were males with hemizygous variants and X-linked recessive conditions. In this study, 23% of the patients were born to consanguineous parents. The reported rate of consanguinity in India varies between 30% [16] to 80% [20]. In contrast, the United Kingdom PID registry recorded consanguinity only in 2.9% patients [2]. Rare variants of IEI-disease causing genes were found in 19% of the patients who underwent genetic studies. The UK PID registry reported 21.8% of patients with a proven genetic defect underlying their PID.

The three most common reasons for referral accounting for 49% were: recurrent fever, cytopenia, and PUO. Verma et al. published a series of 27 children with PID and the typical presentation was recurrent or persistent chest infection [21]. In contrast to the present report, Gupta et al. showed that lower respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhea, and failure to thrive were the common symptoms leading to the diagnosis of a PID in a cohort of 120 children from north India [20]. These differences may be due to regional differences, and level of awareness among the referring clinicians and even a reflection of inbreeding practices. The authors unit predominantly caters to hematology and oncology; hence, this might have also caused the difference in the spectrum of IEIs.

The most common category noted in the present cohort was group IV diseases of immune dysregulation seen in 19% of patients. Syndromes with autoimmunity and immunodeficiency with colitis were the most common subtypes within this group. The group III disorders (predominantly antibody deficiencies) were seen in 14%, followed by group V (congenital phagocytic disorders) in 13.4%. Group I (immunodeficiencies affecting humoral and cellular immunity) and group II (combined immunodeficiency with syndromic features) were noted in 12.8% of patients each. The pattern of PID in the present study is different from other published studies from India. Madkaikar et al. [15] reported that phagocytic dysfunction and immune dysregulations were the two most common PID categories [14]. A study from Delhi showed congenital phagocytic disorders as the commonest category [21]. However, reports from Sri Lanka suggested antibody deficiencies (40%) to be the most frequent, followed by combined immunodeficiency with well-defined syndromes and SCID. PID registries in the UK or Europe revealed that antibody disorders represent the largest group of all registered patients, accounting for 59.7% [1, 2]. The other most frequently reported PID in western countries is the common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), accounting for 29.7% patients in the UK [2]. The present study found 14% of patients with antibody deficiency and only 1 child with CVID. No patient with selective IgA deficiency was found either in the present group or in the other studies from India. This is probably because of the benign nature of the disease. The reason for seeing more children with combined immunodeficiencies with syndromic features in the present study may be due to a referral/recruitment bias. There is an increase in PID awareness and recognition, as an increased number of patient referrals for evaluation of IEI/PID has been noted over the last six years.

The present study is limited by its retrospective nature. Genetic tests could be performed in only 34% of the patients in the study. The symptom interval and the overall time taken to diagnose IEI has not been studied in the present cohort. There may be a referral bias, as the authors’ center is also the referral center for pediatric hematology. Many children died before their molecular testing, though they were meeting the clinical criteria for PID. Due to logistic issues, any functional studies could not be performed. A follow-up for 17 children could not be performed either. The total time for a genetic diagnosis has not been calculated, which is important to improve the outcome. Despite these limitations, the authors believe that their study highlights the importance of such a practice in centers like theirs and this should alert policymakers and health entrepreneurs.

An in-house flow cytometry for diagnosis of PID and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) facility for treatment are not available with the authors. This has likely affected patients’ care and no child with SCID survived in the present cohort. This also underscores the need to have better diagnostic and HSCT facilities locally all over the country.

This study reveals that recurrent infections, persistent low WBC/platelet count (cytopenia), PUO, persistent diarrhea, prolonged illness, lymphadenopathy, multifocal tuberculosis, multiple BCG adenitis, unusual lymphomas, abscesses, persistent or recurrent oral thrush, difficult eczema, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) are presenting symptoms of PID. Complete hemogram, counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils, examination of peripheral smear, and thymic shadow on radiographs give useful clues for the diagnosis of PID. Over the past few years, increased awareness about PID among the physicians has led to an increased recognition of these conditions. However, genetic testing facilities are underused. Further prospective studies and the establishment of a nationwide PID registry will help us retrieve more information about the common categories of PID, better approaches for the diagnosis to lead to a better outcome for the children with PID.