Living with MHC class II deficiency
A rare inherited immune condition causing severe, repeated infections that start early in life.
Understanding MHC class II deficiency
This severely weakens the body's immune response. It leads to early, severe, repeated infections, mainly of the breathing and digestive tracts, long-lasting diarrhea with poor growth, and autoimmune disease. It starts in newborns and infants.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Repeated bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
- Long-lasting diarrhea
- Poor weight gain
- Repeated respiratory infections
- Repeated candida (yeast) infections
- Liver and bile duct inflammation
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include allergy and immune system specialists, digestive system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Immune Deficiency Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Allergy and immune system specialists (allergists / immunologists); Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Immune Deficiency Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Jeffrey Modell Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in genes (also called variants) cause this condition. It is autosomal recessive, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.
Also known as: bare lymphocyte syndrome; bare lymphocyte syndrome 2; bare lymphocyte syndrome type 2; bare lymphocyte syndrome, type ii, complementation group a; bls 2; bls, type ii
Patient organizations
- Jeffrey Modell FoundationMHC class II deficiency · United States
- Immune Deficiency FoundationPrimary immunodeficiency · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with MHC class II deficiency.
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