Immunodeficiencies and Histiocytosis Program Services
The Immunodeficiencies and Histiocytosis Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center offers a full spectrum of laboratory and clinical services ranging from diagnosis to treatment. It interfaces with the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program to offer state-of-the-art treatment for children with immunodeficiency disorders.
Primary immunodeficiency disorders treated at Cincinnati Children's include over 80 genetically defined diagnoses. Many of these diseases are rare, and Cincinnati Children's offers specialists with extensive experience in their diagnosis and management. Our close collaboration with the Molecular Genetics Laboratory, part of the Division of Human Genetics, is reflected in the establishment of a joint Diagnostic Center for Heritable Immunodeficiencies.
Immunodeficiencies and Histiocytoses Treated (selected)
- Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
- Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH)
- X-linked Agammaglobulinemia (XLA)
- Severe Combined Immunodeficiencies (SCIDs)
- Wiskott Aldrich syndrome (WAS)
- Common Variable Immunodeficieny (CVID)
- X-linked CD40 Ligand Deficiency (X-linked-hyper IgM syndrome, HIM)
- Autosomal recessive hyper IgM syndrome (HIGM2-HIGM4)
- X-linked Lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP)
- Immune dysregulation, Polyendocrinopathy, Enteritis, X-linked (IPEX)
- Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS)
- Hypogammaglobuliunemia
- X-linked NFkB Essential Modifier Deficiency (NEMO)
- Chronic Granulomatous disease (CGD)
Clinical Services Offered
- Initial diagnostic evaluations and ongoing management of immunodeficiency disorders
- Second opinions for diagnoses of (suspected) immunodeficiency disorders
- Immunologic Testing
- Genetic diagnosis of many immunodeficiency disorders, in collaboration with the Diagnostic Center for Heritable Immunodeficiencies
- Home-based therapies
- Treatment and participation in national trials (e.g. using IVIG)
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation using related and unrelated donors (marrow, cord blood, peripheral stem cells)
- Comprehensive evaluation of chronic/recurrent immune cytopenias, in collaboration with the Blood Disease Center
Program Highlights
- World-renowned program for the treatment of children with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) using blood and marrow transplantation. This program is led by Dr. Alexandra Filipovich, who serves on the boards of the Histiocyte Society and Histiocytosis Association of America.
- National Reference Laboratory for immunologic testing of HLH, including testing of natural killer cell function, perforin expression and genetic testing. Dr. Filipovich and colleagues have developed a rapid screening assay for HLH and have made it available through referral to pediatricians across the nation and the world.
- Comprehensive LCH Clinic: provides patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) comprehensive multidisciplinary management, follow up for late effects and second opinions.
- Cincinnati Children's participates in national and international protocols for treatment of histiocytic disorders.
Training Opportunities
The Clinical Immunology Society, through a grant provided by Talecris, has announced that they will be offering six (6) $30,000 grants to third or fourth year fellows-in-training who have demonstrated a commitment to the study of primary immunodeficiency as a career path. Click here for information as it becomes available.
The Immunodeficiencies and Histiocytosis Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is proud to participate in The Robert A. Good / Jeffrey Modell Fellowship in Transplantation and Immunodeficiency. This Fellowship is intended for individuals, who are interested in Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders and stem cell transplantation. It offers advanced training in the diagnosis and management of clinical immunodeficiencies, including definitive treatment with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Click here to download an information packet, or visit www.info4PI.org for information. Prospective applicants are also encouraged to contact the Immunodeficiencies and Histiocytosis Program for more detailed information.
