Two Siblings With Prolonged Fever and Pneumonia

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a childhood immunodeficiency disease characterized by the inability of neutrophils to kill certain bacteria and fungi. Normally, once microbes are phagocytized by neutrophils, they are destroyed via degranulation and respiratory burst activity. In patients with CGD, there is a defect in the nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate oxidase complex, which catalyzes the respiratory burst activity, leading to increased susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections. Patients are more susceptible to catalase-positive microorganisms, as they do not generate any oxygen metabolites. Aromin et al present their diagnosis and disease management of two siblings with prolonged fever and pneumonia.