D80.6: Antibody deficiency with near-normal immunoglobulins or with hyperimmunoglobulinaemia

The immune system protects the body from pathogens and foreign substances. The immune system can also destroy cells in the body that have pathologically changed. The body's immune system is made up of different types of immune cells. Some immune cells can destroy pathogens or foreign bodies themselves. Other immune cells produce certain antibodies. Some of the immune system’s antibodies can make pathogens and foreign substances visible to the immune system. Other antibodies attack pathogens or foreign substances directly.

Pathogens include bacteria, viruses and fungi. Some bacteria have a covering. Your immune system is unable to produce enough antibodies to combat these bacteria.

If you are not producing enough antibodies, there may not be proper protection against the bacteria. Repeated infections, such as respiratory conditions, may then occur. A person may also produce insufficient antibodies after certain vaccinations. You can be vaccinated against various pathogens. Vaccination is intended to help the immune system become familiar with a pathogen. After the vaccination, the immune system produces certain substances to fight the pathogens. If you come into contact with the pathogens later, the immune system can then take action against them more quickly. The pathogens are then no longer able to harm the body as much, if at all.

As yet, the reasons behind the condition have not been fully explained.