A 56-Year-Old-Man With Common Variable Immunodeficiency and Worsening Dyspnea

Abstract

A 56-year-old man with a history of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), in addition to recurrent bronchitis and pneumonia, presented with progressively worsening shortness of breath over a period of a few months. He was able to conduct his activities of daily living at baseline; however, his condition declined over a period of months to the point of shortness of breath with climbing a flight of stairs. The patient also developed a frequent dry cough and wheezing. He denied fever, chest pain, weight loss, and hemoptysis. He had been diagnosed with CVID in 1968, at 7 years of age, after recurrent episodes of bronchitis and pneumonia, and was treated with IV immunoglobulin monthly for decades. The patient was a lifelong nonsmoker and had no significant environmental or occupational exposures. He was referred to our hospital for further management.