Background: IgM deficiency is a dysgammaglobulinemia characterized by isolated low levels of serum IgM. Patients with IgM deficiency may exhibit various clinical manifestations. However, IgM deficiency still remains to be explored with regard to diagnosis and treatment. Methods: Through a retrospective chart review, we investigated the clinical and immunological features of 15 symptomatic adult IgM-deficient patients who were referred to our immunology clinics over a 4-year period. Results: The patients were comprised of 6 males and 9 females, with a mean age of 57.2 years. On initial evaluation, 12 patients (80%) presented with susceptibility to infections, 5 (33%) had atopic manifestations such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, 3 (20%) had both infections and atopy, 4 patients (28%) had fibromyalgia-like symptoms, 3 (20%) had autoimmune manifestations, and 1 patient had lymphoma. The mean serum IgM level was 27.4 mg/dl (range 14–39). Impaired specific antibody response to pneumococcal antigens in 5 out of 11 studied patients (45%) appeared to be a notable association. Subtle abnormalities in IgG subclasses, lymphocyte subsets and in vitro proliferative lymphocyte responses were observed. Five patients who were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin responded very well. Conclusion: We propose that a thorough immunological evaluation including specific antibody responses be undertaken in patients with IgM deficiency. IgM-deficient patients who present with recurrent/severe infections may benefit from immunoglobulin treatment particularly in the presence of impaired pneumococcal antibody responses.

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These observations support the concept that rituximab may be helpful for the treatment of MG. Remissions in patients with or without thymoma are achievable with rituximab given in combination with commonly used modalities. Furthermore, rituximab is not necessarily contraindicated for the treatment of MG in patients being treated for thymoma. Controlled studies are called for to define its role in the treatment of refractory MG.

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