Immunodeficiency & Autoimmune Diseases
Pictured: CIDP patient Patricia
Understanding Immunodeficiency & Autoimmune Diseases
Your immune system protects your body against dangerous organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and cancer cells. When these organisms infect an otherwise healthy body, the immune system responds by producing antibodies and special blood cells (called lymphocytes) that attempt to eradicate the infection. When your immune system fails to respond adequately to infection, it's called an immunodeficiency, and you may be immunocompromised. People may also suffer from the opposite condition, an overactive immune system that attacks healthy cells as though they were foreign bodies, and that is called an
autoimmune response. Both scenarios can create potentially life-threatening conditions.
Immunoglobulin, also known as Ig, is a component of healthy human blood plasma. At CSL Behring, we’ve developed several Immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapies to treat rare conditions related to the immune system in which Ig is not present in sufficient quantities. In addition, our product portfolio includes hyperimmune immunoglobulins which are especially high in antibodies against certain diseases, such as tetanus, varicella, rabies, and hepatitis A and B.
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More than 400
types of Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) Diseases
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9-15 years
typical length of time between onset of symptoms and a PI diagnosis
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1 to 2 per 100,000
people are diagnosed with CIDP per year
How can we help you?
Availability of treatments may vary from country to country. Please be sure to visit your local CSLBehring.com site for further information.
Primary Immunodeficiency (PI)
Primary immunodeficiencies are a large group of hereditary or genetic disorders that impair the normal functioning of the cells of the immune system, rendering the patient unable to fight infections.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
CIDP is a neurological disorder caused by damage to the myelin sheath of the peripheral nerves. It is often characterized by increasing weakness in the legs and arms.
Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
ITP is an autoimmune disorder resulting in a low platelet count. Very low platelet counts can lead to increased susceptibility to bleeding.
Secondary Immunodeficiency (SID)
Secondary immunodeficiencies occur when the immune system is compromised by an external factor, not a genetic one. External factors may include aging, certain types of cancer, procedures such as transplant, and some medications.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
GBS is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It is characterized by the rapid onset of numbness, weakness, and often paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and face.
Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki Disease is a serious illness characterized by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body that primarily affects young children and infants.