ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Agammaglobulinemia

What is agammaglobulinemia?

23 January 2026

This is a rare hereditary condition characterized by a significant decrease in immunoglobulins, which are a class of antibodies. This scarcity leaves the body more vulnerable to the presence of infectious agents, whether bacterial, viral, or fungal.

The genetic anomaly that causes agammaglobulinemia appears predominantly in males, inhibiting the development of B lymphocytes. This leads to a partial or total loss of immunoglobulin production, which are essential proteins for the proper functioning of the immune system, responsible for defending the body against pathogenic attacks.

Those suffering from agammaglobulinemia experience recurrent infections, mainly from bacteria such as pneumococci and staphylococci, in body areas such as:

  • Gastrointestinal system.
  • Joints.
  • Respiratory tract.
  • Skin.

Signs and symptoms Agammaglobulinemia

  • Bronchitis.
  • Pneumonia.
  • Persistent diarrheal episodes.
  • Eye infections.
  • Otitis (ear infection).
  • Sinusitis.
  • Infectious processes in the skin.
  • Bronchiectasis.
  • Asthma.

Complications that may arise with agammaglobulinemia are:

  • Chronic lung disease.
  • Arthritis.
  • Eczema.
  • Intestinal malabsorption.

Diagnosis and treatment Agammaglobulinemia

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as:

  • Genetic tests.
  • Blood analysis.

Since this is a chronic disease, the treatment to follow focuses on:

  • Fortifying the immune system.
  • Attacking existing infections.
  • Preventing future infections.

Generally, therapy includes medications such as:

  • Antibiotics.
  • Gamma globulin (Immunoglobulin replacement therapy).

It will also be necessary to visit your doctor periodically so they can review your progress and prevent possible complications.

In the Internal Medicine Department at Centro Médico ABC, we provide medical care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, including both chronic-degenerative conditions and acute cases, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Agammaglobulinemia

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Sources:

  • cun.es
  • topdoctors.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • middlesexhealth.org
  • medigraphic.com
  • Ibarra-Stone KA, Segura-Méndez NH, Anda-Garay JC, et al. Agammaglobulinemia ligada a X: diagnóstico en la adultez. Med Int Mex. 2021;37(5):896-901.
  • Addine RBC, Casado HI, Marrón GR, et al. Bruton’ s agammaglobulinemia. A case presentation. Mul Med. 2018;22(4):853-861.
  • Sánchez SM, Marsán SV, Macías AC, et al. Agammaglobulinemia ligada al X o de Bruton. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter . 2014;30(4):395-404.
  • García NMC, García NRM, Rodríguez MM, et al. Presentación de un paciente con agammaglobulinemia congénita. Correo Científico Médico. 2013;17(Suppl: 1):596-600.

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