B-cell deficiency is a condition where the body has impaired humoral immunity due to a lack of proper B-cell function. B-cells play an important role in regulating the immune response, and dysregulation can lead to health issues. B-cell deficiency can be caused by not enough or non-functioning B-cells, plasma cells they differentiate into, or antibodies secreted by plasma cells. Symptoms include sinus infections, sepsis, skin infections, and pneumonia due to bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Diagnosis involves measuring immunoglobulin levels and B-cell counts. Treatment focuses on managing infections, surveillance of potential malignancies, and immunoglobulin replacement therapy.

1. Dr. P. Saranraj
Head
Department of Microbiology
Sacred Heart College (Autonomous)
Tirupattur – 635 601
Tamil Nadu, India
Mobile: +91-9994146964; E.mail:
microsaranraj@gmail.com
B – CELL DEFICIENCY

2. B – CELL DEFICIENCY
 B - cells play an important role in regulating the
immune response in both physiological and
pathological conditions. Dysregulation of B-cell
function can lead to severe consequences for the
host.
 B - cell Deficiency or Humoral immune
deficiencies are conditions which cause
impairment (damage) of Humoral immunity,
which can lead to immunodeficiency.
 B - cell Deficiency can be mediated by
insufficient number or function of B - cells,
the Plasma cells they differentiate into, or
the antibody secreted by the plasma cells.

3. Causes of B – cell Deficiency
 Primary B – cell deficiency
1) Presence of lower amount of B- cell populations.
2) Severe reduction of all types of Antibodies.
3) Normal number of B – cells with decreased IgG and
IgA.
4) Normal number of B – cells with increased IgM (Hyper
– IgM syndromes.
5) Normal numbers of B - cells with Light chain
deficiencies: Heavy chain deletions, Kappa
chain deficiency, IgG subclass deficiency, IgA with IgG
sub-class deficiency and Selective IgA deficiency
6) Transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy –
Reduction in the level of IgG, and also sometimes IgA
and IgM.

4. Causes of B – cell Deficiency
 Secondary B – cell deficiency
1) Multiple Myeloma or Plasma cell Myeloma –
A cancer of Plasma cell.
2) Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia – A cancer in
which the bone marrow makes too many
Lymphocytes (a type of WBCs).
3) AIDS

5. Symptoms of B – cell Deficiency
1) Sinusitis or Sinus infection – An
inflammation of Sinuses region.
2) Sepsis – A life-threatening condition that
arises when the body's response
to infection causes injury to its own tissues and
organs.
3) Skin infection or Dermatitis – An
Inflammation of skin caused by Bacteria, Fungi,
Virus and Protozoa.
4) Pneumonia – An inflammatory condition of
the lung affecting primarily the small air sacs
known as Alveoli. Pneumonia is caused by
Bacteria, Fungi, Virus and Protozoa.

6. Diagnosis of B – cell Deficiency
1) Measuring Serum Immunoglobulin Levels.
2) B – cell count.
Treatment B – cell Deficiency
1) Treatment for infections.
2) Surveillance of malignancies.
3) Immunoglobulin replacement therapy.