Case 2
A 4-year-old girl born at term and with no history of neonatal
respiratory distress was evaluated for a year-round wet cough and
rhinitis that started at 12 months of age. She had recurrent otitis
media with myringotomy tubes placed around 3 years of age. She had
normal oxygen saturation, scattered crackles and rhonchi on initial
pulmonary exam and no digital clubbing. Previous work-up had included a
normal sweat chloride test and two heterozygous VUS in DNAH5 on PCD
genetic testing. Further genetic testing to confirm if the variants were
in trans had not been completed. A sinus and chest CT had shown evidence
of pansinusitis and mild bronchiectasis. Additional evaluation included
low B and T cells and low immunoglobulin levels managed with intravenous
immunoglobulin replacement therapy.
A repeat chest CT demonstrated progressive bronchial wall thickening and
bronchiectasis, collapse of the right middle and upper lobes as well as
extensive adenopathy. Bronchoscopy demonstrated lower airway
inflammation, airway edema and increased mucus. Bronchoalveolar lavage
showed neutrophil predominance on cell counts, however no organism was
identified on culture. Initial nNO testing value of 38.9 nL/min was in a
range consistent with PCD. Considering the concurrent PCD and
immunodeficiency concerns, repeat genetic testing confirmed prior VUS’s
in DNAH5 as well as a single pathogenic variant in PIK3CD. Her
management included daily airway clearance, antibiotic prophylaxis and
immunoglobulin replacement therapy.