Gastrointestinal findings in 26 adults with common variable immunodeficiency: The fickle nature of the disease manifests in gastrointestinal biopsies

Background/Aims: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the histopathological findings in gastrointestinal (GI) biopsies in adults with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Materials and Methods: A total of 172 GI biopsies of 26 patients with CVID obtained over a 16-year period were reevaluated. Findings were analyzed using descriptive analyzes and ?2 test. Results: Female-to-male ratio was 1.36. The median age at diagnosis was 36±13.94 (16-72) years. Chronic esophagitis was noted in 3 patients. The absence of plasma cells in the stomach, duodenum, and colon was observed in 16, 14, and 9 patients, respectively. Divergent results for the presence of plasma cells in concurrent stomach and duodenum samples were found in 11 (44%) patients. Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) was notable in the duodenum (56%). The mean number of eosinophils in one high-power field was significantly higher in duodenal biopsies with NLH (27.21 vs. 14.37, p=0.002). Active inflammation was more prominent in the colon (91%) than in the stomach (65%) and duodenum (60%). Helicobacter pylori infection was found in 57.6%, including a case with persistent infection by the coccoid form. Celiac-like villous blunting and increased intraepithelial lymphocytes were seen in 40% and 24%, respectively. In addition, 23% had giardiasis associated with acute duodenitis and duodenal NLH (p