HYPOGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA

An unusual patient, characterized by recurrent infections, hepatosplenomegaly, low levels of gamma-globulin in the serum (400 mg/100 ml) and lymphocytosis, is described. The patient had pneumonia due to Nocardia asteroides followed by chronic Salmonella newport infection of 16 months' duration, kept in check by continuous antibiotic therapy. No antibodies were produced against specific antigenic challenges. The relationship of this case to those of congenital and acquired agammaglobulinemia is discussed.