Primary immune deficiencies are disorders in which part of the body’s immune system is missing or does not function properly, and is typically caused by intrinsic or genetic defects in the immune system.

Secondary immune deficiencies are disorders in which the immune system is compromised by factors outside the immune system—such as viruses or chemotherapy.

Some immune deficiencies result from environmental factors or are secondary to other causes.  Other immune deficiency diseases occur or are acquired as a result of medications, having cancer, severe nutritional disorders, burns, infections, exposure to radiation, or organ transplantation.

Harbin Clinic Infusion Therapy manages several immune deficiencies, including:

• Common variable immune deficiency (CVID)
• Selective IgA deficiency
• Severe combined immune deficiency

Immunoglobulin (IG) therapy is a concentrate of antibodies purified from blood plasma.  IG helps prevent a wide variety of bacterial and viral infectious diseases, and other autoimmune diseases, and is used in the treatment and maintenance of patients unable to produce sufficient antibodies.  IG is given intravenously via peripheral or central venous route and may be administered by a pump.  Typically, administration takes 2 to 6 hours.

Some patients may be candidates for subcutaneous IG treatment, where therapy is administered just under the skin.  Treatment is more frequent—on a weekly basis, and the volume of medication administered is much less.

Immunoglobulin therapy can be provided safely in the home or in the ambulatory infusion center.