ABSTRACT
Experts from six Latin American countries met to discuss critical issues and needs in the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD). The diagnosis of PIDD is generally made following referral to an immunology centre located in a major city, but many paediatricians and general practitioners are not sufficiently trained to suspect PIDD in the first place. Access to laboratory testing is generally limited, and only some screening tests are typically covered by government health programmes. Specialised diagnostic tests are generally not reimbursed. Access to treatment varies by country reflecting differences in healthcare systems and reimbursement policies. An online PIDD Registry Programme for Latin America has been available since 2009, which will provide information about PIDD epidemiology in the region. Additional collaboration across countries appears feasible in at least two areas: a laboratory network to facilitate the diagnosis of PIDD, and educational programmes to improve PIDD awareness. In total, these collaborations should make it possible to advance the diagnosis and management of PIDD in Latin Americ(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Immunoglobulins/administration & dosage , Immunoglobulins , Epidemiological Monitoring/trends , Epidemiological Monitoring , Allergy and Immunology/education , Allergy and Immunology/standards , Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Immunologic Techniques/trends , Latin America/epidemiology , Immunologic Techniques/standards , Immunologic TechniquesABSTRACT
Experts from six Latin American countries met to discuss critical issues and needs in the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD). The diagnosis of PIDD is generally made following referral to an immunology centre located in a major city, but many paediatricians and general practitioners are not sufficiently trained to suspect PIDD in the first place. Access to laboratory testing is generally limited, and only some screening tests are typically covered by government health programmes. Specialised diagnostic tests are generally not reimbursed. Access to treatment varies by country reflecting differences in healthcare systems and reimbursement policies. An online PIDD Registry Programme for Latin America has been available since 2009, which will provide information about PIDD epidemiology in the region. Additional collaboration across countries appears feasible in at least two areas: a laboratory network to facilitate the diagnosis of PIDD, and educational programmes to improve PIDD awareness. In total, these collaborations should make it possible to advance the diagnosis and management of PIDD in Latin America.
Subject(s)
Disease Management , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/diagnosis , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/therapy , Allergy and Immunology/education , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/economics , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/economics , Insurance Coverage , Insurance, Health, Reimbursement , Latin America , RegistriesABSTRACT
Type III polyglandular syndrome is defines as the association of insulin dependent Diabetes mellitus, thyroid gland affection (hyper or hypothyroidism) and a non endocrinological disease, rheumatological or not. Less common manifestations include pernicious anemia, vitiligo and alopecia. Circulating organ-specific auto antibodies are detected in blood smear and a lymphocyte infiltrate in the affected glands. We report a patient with insulin dependent Diabetes mellitus since the age of 3, who developed hypothyroidism at the age of 14 and severe rheumatoid arthritis at 16. Moderate anemia with positive auto antibodies against parital gastric cells was detected. Treatment with methotrexate and indomethacin was indicated with excellent results regarding her arthritis and after 2 weeks of treatment she began to walk normally again.
