Bruton disease is characterized by the absence of which immunoglobulins?

Bruton disease is characterized by the absence of which immunoglobulins?

• A. Elevated IgE
• B. Elevated IgG
• C. Normal levels of IgG and IgM but reduced levels of IgA
• D. The absence of all immunoglobulins

Answer: (D)

Bruton agammaglobulinemia occurs when B cell maturation is blocked due to a BTK gene defect, so the body can’t make antibody-producing cells. As a result, circulating B cells are virtually absent and immunoglobulins of all classes (IgG, IgA, IgM) are severely reduced or absent. That panhypoglobulinemia explains why the statement describing the absence of all immunoglobulins best fits Bruton disease. In contrast, other scenarios describe selective deficiencies or elevations (for example, isolated IgA deficiency or raised IgE), which are not characteristic of Bruton.

Bruton agammaglobulinemia occurs when B cell maturation is blocked due to a BTK gene defect, so the body can’t make antibody-producing cells. As a result, circulating B cells are virtually absent and immunoglobulins of all classes (IgG, IgA, IgM) are severely reduced or absent. That panhypoglobulinemia explains why the statement describing the absence of all immunoglobulins best fits Bruton disease. In contrast, other scenarios describe selective deficiencies or elevations (for example, isolated IgA deficiency or raised IgE), which are not characteristic of Bruton.