Background
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a group of heterogeneous primary immunodeficiencies characterised by a dysregulated and impaired immune response. In addition to an increased susceptibility to infection, it is also associated with noninfectious autoimmune and lymphoproliferative complications. CVID is rarely associated with neurological complications. Pulmonary involvement is more common, and patients can develop an interstitial lung disease known as granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD).
Case presentation
A 50-year-old Caucasian female with a history of Evans syndrome (idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia) and hypogammaglobulinaemia initially presented to the neurology clinic with marked cerebellar ataxia and headaches. Following extensive investigation (which included brain biopsy), she was diagnosed with neuro-sarcoidosis and her symptoms resolved following treatment with immunosuppressive therapy. Over the following 10 years, she was extensively investigated for recurrent pulmonary infections and abnormal radiological findings, which included pulmonary nodules, infiltrates and splenomegaly. Subsequently, she was referred to an immunology clinic, where immunoglobulin replacement treatment was started for what was ultimately considered to be CVID. Shortly afterwards, evaluation of her clinical, radiological and histological findings at a specialist interstitial lung disease clinic led to a diagnosis of GLILD.
Conclusion
CVID is a condition which should be suspected in patients with immunodeficiency and recurrent infections. Concomitant autoimmune disorders such as haemolytic anaemia and immune thrombocytopenia may further support the diagnosis. As illustrated in this case, there is a rare association between CVID and inflammatory involvement of the neurological system. Respiratory physicians should also suspect CVID with associated GLILD in patients with apparent pulmonary granulomatous disease and recurrent infections. In addition, this case also highlights the challenge of diagnosing CVID and its associated features, and how the definitive exclusion of other pathologies such as malignancy, mycobacterial infection and lymphoma is required as part of this diagnostic process.
Sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) have become a popular therapeutic strategy in the management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The primary site of action of SGLT2-i is at the proximal renal convoluted tubule. They work by blocking SGLT2 receptors, sodium-dependent glucose co-transport molecules, which in turn prevents glucose reabsorption, facilitating glucosuria, improving glycaemic control as well as a moderate degree of weight loss. We report the case of a 51-year-old woman admitted to the acute medical unit with abdominal pain and vomiting, who was diagnosed with euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis secondary to recent initiation of an SGLT2-i medication (dapagliflozin). Clinicians should be aware of this rare side effect of SGLT2-i, to circumvent delays in patient management.
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