Treatment of X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia?

• A. IVIG
• B. Vaccination Alone
• C. Antiretrovirals
• D. Bone Marrow Transplant

Answer: (A)

X-linked agammaglobulinemia is a B-cell development defect that leaves patients unable to produce antibodies, so the main goal is to provide the missing immunoglobulins to prevent infections. Regular intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy supplies IgG antibodies from donors, offering passive protection and reducing frequency and severity of bacterial infections. Vaccination alone isn’t effective because there are few or no mature B cells to generate an antibody response, and many vaccines won’t work or could be unsafe in this context. Antiretrovirals address HIV, not this B-cell defect. Bone marrow transplant could potentially cure the underlying problem but carries substantial risks and is not the standard first-line approach; it is generally reserved for selected cases. Therefore, immunoglobulin replacement therapy is the correct and standard treatment.