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Living with Severe combined immunodeficiency due to CARD11 deficiency

A rare inherited immune condition with low antibodies and weak T cell function, leading to severe and unusual infections.

Understanding Severe combined immunodeficiency due to CARD11 deficiency

Severe combined immunodeficiency due to CARD11 deficiency is a rare inherited immune condition affecting T and B cells.

People have normal numbers of T and B cells but they do not work properly. Antibody levels are low or absent. This leads to severe susceptibility to infections, including opportunistic infections. It begins in the newborn and infant period.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Weakened immune function
  • Pneumocystis pneumonia
  • Repeated breathing infections
  • Low regulatory T cells
  • Low monocyte counts

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include allergy and immune system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in CARD11 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect 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); 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 Immune Deficiency Foundation
  • 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
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Should we have genetic testing for the CARD11 gene?
What treatment options are available?
How can we prevent infections?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesCARD11

It is caused by changes in the CARD11 gene. It is autosomal recessive, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

Genetic

Also known as: imd11a; immunodeficiency 11; immunodeficiency 11a; immunodeficiency type 11; scid due to card11 deficiency

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Severe combined immunodeficiency due to CARD11 deficiencyGARD ID 17549 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Severe combined immunodeficiency due to CARD11 deficiency.

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