[Chronic diarrhea as a clinical expression of common variable hypogammaglobulinemia: apropos of 3 cases].
Sixty per cent of the patients with immuno-compromise of the humoral compartment may show chronic diarrhoea, specially seen in the common variable hypogammaglobulinemia (CVH). We presented 3 cases of late-onset CVH who referred chronic diarrhoea as the main symptom. The immunodiagnosis revealed undetectable or subnormal immunoglobulins levels (G, M, A), preserved total haemolytic complement and a negative autoimmune screening. The cell compartment analysis showed increased number of suppressor T lymphocytes (CD8) plus hyporesponsiveness of the total peripheral lymphocytes to polyclonal mitogens such PHA. The clinical approach of the CVH patients should be performed by a multispecialized team including the clinical immunologist and the gastrointestinal and infectious diseases specialists.