Primary immunodeficiencies and Immune response to fungal infections

Primary immunodeficiencies are genetic illnesses that damage one or more immune system parts and if ignored, greatly increase morbidity and mortality as well as the susceptibility to infection. It is crucial to differentiate between these conditions and acquired immunodeficiencies caused by immunosuppressive drugs, cancer, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other reasons. Primary immunodeficiencies are diagnosed early in childhood in more than 80% of cases and are found before the age of 20. Therefore, paediatricians often do the initial diagnosis and management of these immunological diseases, which frequently present as persistent, severe infections caused by common organisms or illnesses caused by opportunistic pathogens.