Allergies, common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), and autoimmune disorders all share similarities and can commonly be mistaken for one another. This article explores those similarities as well as major differences, evidence for potential links, and treatment options.
Let’s first take a look at common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Characterized by low levels of serum immunoglobulins and antibodies, CVID is a form of primary immunodeficiency—meaning the immune system is deficient in what it needs to fight infection which therefore causes an increased susceptibility to infection. Those with CVID often develop recurring infection in the lungs, sinuses, and ears. The exact cause of CVID is unknown, though genetic defects may play a role.1
An allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance that is typically not harmful to other people—i.e. pollen or pet dander. Both an allergic reaction and an autoimmune response happen when your body tries to expel a foreign substance. The difference is that with an allergic response, the foreign substance is an allergen (again, typically harmless to most people) while with an autoimmune response, the foreign substance is indeed harmful—i.e. a virus, parasite, or bacteria. Steve Ziegler, PhD, Director of the Immunology Research Program at Benaroya Research Institute states that “In autoimmunity, there is a different type of T-cell involved than in allergies. In an autoimmune response, tissue destruction occurs. With allergies, the immune system overreacts to harmless allergens. Interestingly, this is the same type of response that expels viruses, parasites, and bacteria from the body.”2
It’s important to note that CVID is not an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system can’t tell the difference between foreign cells (like bacteria and viruses) and your own cells. Because of this, your immune system will attack healthy cells in your body in addition to unhealthy foreign cells. CVID, on the other hand, occurs when your body has existing low levels of antibodies.
Is there a link between CVID, autoimmune disorders, and allergies?
With 25% of CVID patients having an autoimmune disorder3, there seems to be a positive correlation between CVID and autoimmune disorders. Research has demonstrated that those with defects in their immune system (like having lower amounts of antibodies) carry a high risk for the development of autoimmune disease.4 When compared to the general population, CVID patients also have a greater risk for granulomata (a mass of granulation tissue), tumors, and an increased susceptibility to cancer.1 In a 2021 study, allergic-like disorders and autoimmunity were diagnosed in 41.3% of CVID subjects.5 Though further testing was needed to determine the cause, in a 2009 study, 86.1% of participating CVID patients had rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses).6 With these findings, though a possible link seems likely to exist between these three conditions, researches are still trying to figure out why exactly these conditions occur in the first place. This could lead to finding further causes for these positive correlations as well as even more effective, targeted treatment options.
Treatment
Treatment for allergies and autoimmune conditions varies greatly depending on the type and severity. An allergy treatment plan may involve avoiding allergens, medicine, and/or immunotherapy.7 An autoimmune treatment plan may involve a wide range of therapies—from anti-inflammatory medication to IG treatment.8 CVID is typically treated with immunoglobulin (IG) (subcutaneous) infusions—especially for those with substantial decreased IG production and nonresponse to both protein and polysaccharide vaccines.9 The IG therapy provides antibodies from the blood of healthy donors. Other problems caused by CVID, like bacterial infections, may require additional, tailored treatments.10
Our team has extensive experience with IG related support services. As a national provider of IG, BioMatrix has broad access to leading brands and inventory. Our IG treatment plans are designed to:
- Prevent infections
- Boost the immune system
- Avoid complications of therapy
- Prevent long-term organ damage
- Decrease hospitalizations
- Encourage patients to participate in disease management
- Prolong life
- Improve general health and quality of life
Our nursing team coordinates the best site of care for scheduled infusions—whether in the patient’s home or physician’s office. Providing site-of-care options offers convenience for patients and cost savings to insurance providers.
Together, our clinicians, support staff, and digital health technology offer a comprehensive approach improving quality of life for patients and producing positive outcomes along the entire healthcare continuum.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. All information, content, and material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here or on our website.
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References
Overview of Common Variable Immune Deficiency. Immune Deficiency Foundation. https://primaryimmune.org/about-primary-immunodeficiencies/specific-disease-types/common-variable-immune-deficiency
(2017). Connecting the Dots Between Allergies and Autoimmune Disease. Benaroya Research Institute. https://www.benaroyaresearch.org/blog/post/connecting-dots-between-allergies-and-autoimmune-disease
Common Variable Immune Deficiency. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/common-variable-immune-deficiency
Sleasman J. W. (1996). The association between immunodeficiency and the development of autoimmune disease. Advances in dental research, 10(1), 57–61. https://doi.org/10.1177/08959374960100011101
Rubin, L., Shamriz, O., Toker, O., Kadish, E., Ribak, Y., Talmon, A., Hershko, A. Y., & Tal, Y. (2022). Allergic-like disorders and asthma in patients with common variable immunodeficiency: a multi-center experience. The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, 59(3), 476–483. https://doi.org/10.1080/02770903.2020.1862185
Agondi, R. C., Barros, M. T., Kokron, C. M., Cohon, A., Oliveira, A. K., Kalil, J., & Giavina-Bianchi, P. (2013). Can patients with common variable immunodeficiency have allergic rhinitis?. American journal of rhinology & allergy, 27(2), 79–83. https://doi.org/10.2500/ajra.2013.27.3855
(2018). What Are the Best Treatments for Allergies? Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. https://aafa.org/allergies/allergy-treatments/
(2021). Autoimmune Diseases. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21624-autoimmune-diseases
Cunningham-Rundles C. Treatment And Prognosis Of Common Variable Immunodeficiency. (https://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-and-prognosis-of-common-variable-immunodeficiency
(2019). Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID). National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/common-variable-immunodeficiency-cvid
