Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Involvement in Immunodeficiencies and Systemic Disease of Childhood

Immunodeficiencies can be primary or secondary. Primary immunodeficiencies are classified into five types, including 1) predominantly antibody deficiencies, 2) immunodeficiencies affecting cellular and humoral immunity, 3) combined immunodeficiencies with associated or syndromic features, 4) disease of immune dysregulation, and 5) congenital defects of phagocyte. Primary immunodeficiencies are frequently associated with gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic diseases, which can be broadly divided into four categories: 1) increased susceptibility to infection, 2) idiopathic chronic inflammatory conditions, 3) increased risk of neoplasia, and iatrogenic injury (more common in the liver). The most common secondary immunodeficiencies is HIV infection. HIV infection/AIDS are also associated with increased risk for infections, autoimmune/inflammatory disorders and neoplasia