Chapter 4, Problem 16Q

Summary Introduction

Case summary:

A patient, age 3 years admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, high body temperature (40.8°C), high respiration rate (42/min versus normal of 20/min) and low blood oxygen saturation (90% versus 98% or more in normal). She showed enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and armpits and the X-ray depicted an enlarged right lung.

Characters in the case:

Aliya Agassi, the patient under evaluation.

Adequate information:

The patient history shows two previous pneumonic infections and six-middle year infections which were all successfully treated with antibiotics. Her blood culture showed growth of Haemophilus influenza. Her IgM levels in blood was elevated while the IgA and IgG were not present at all. Her father however showed normal levels of these immunoglobulins.

To Determine:

The clinical cause of the symptoms of this patient.