MHC class II deficiency in the Dene native population: a case report highlighting pitfalls in diagnosis and treatment

Case Our patient was a male of Dene native background from the Northwest Territories of Canada. Between the ages of 2 weeks to 6 months of age he had multiple bouts of both viral and bacterial pneumonia, two episodes of bacteremia, and showed poor growth. Despite a low lymphocyte count of 0.9 x 10 cells/L and undetectable immunoglobulins, an immunologist was not initially consulted. Finally, after his fifth episode of pneumonia he was referred to the Immunology Department in Edmonton and then transferred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. Initial testing revealed IgG levels t).