Good's syndrome with increasing γδ T-lymphocyte subpopulation: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Good's syndrome is a rare cause of adult-onset immunodeficiency associated with thymoma. Good's syndrome should be considered in patients older than 40 years with the history of frequent infections. An abnormal immunoglobulin profile needs further investigation and flow cytometry which is crucial for establishing the diagno- sis of Good's syndrome.

CASE REPORT: We present a 56- year-old men with Good's syndrome diagnosed after a two-year history of recurrent infections. Examination of immune status of the patient showed decreased serum levels of all immunoglobulins. Flow cytometry of peripheral blood lym-phocyte revealed markedly reduced peripheral B cells, CD4 T-cell lymphopenia, inverted CD4/CD8 T-cell-ratio 0.37 (CD4--20.82%, CD8--70.7%). Analysis of the subpopulations of T-lymphocytes showed relative increasing γδ T cell receptor (TCR) T lymphocytes. Computed tomography scan of the chest showed a mediastinal mass compatible with thymoma of the diameter of 40 mm. After initiation of intravenous immunoglobulins the patient was in the good clinical condition and without bacterial complications. As the patient refused the operative treatment we continued to control the mediastinal tumor mass which did not increase during a 3-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION: The presented patient had a typical immunological finding for Good's syndrome, but also the increase in γδ TCR T-lymphocyte subpopulation for which it is difficult to determine whether this is pathogenetic or secondary reactive event.