Overview of Primary Immunodeficiency Program

The Primary Immunodeficiency Program is made up of a multidisciplinary team that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex primary immune deficiencies (non-AIDS) for children and adults. The goal is to make an accurate and early diagnosis, which is critical in patients with severe immunodeficiencies. The program provides the most advanced care for children. It is recognized as a Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies.

Learn about the top 10 warning signs of primary immunodeficiency.

Dr. Routes discusses the Primary Immunodeficiency Program

The program diagnoses and treats many different problems that affect the immune system. Some of these include:

• Severe combined immunodeficiency.
• Common variable immunodeficiency.
• DiGeorge syndrome/22q11 microdeletion syndrome.
• X-linked agammaglobulinemia/Bruton's agammaglobulinemia.
• Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
• Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS).
• Specific antibody deficiencies.
• DNA repair defects.
• Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome.
• Neutrophil defects.
• Monocyte defects.
• Eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
• Periodic fever syndromes/autoinflammatory disorders.

A full range of treatments are offered and research is conducted continually to improve diagnostic testing and care. 

Latest updates

• Children's Hospital and the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene lead the nation by making Wisconsin the first state to pilot a newborn screening test for severe combined immunodeficiency. The test identifies SCID early enough to help treat children impacted by this often fatal disease.
• Jack Routes, MD, and James Verbsky, MD, PhD, were asked to participate in a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) meeting titled Newborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID): Implementation, Challenges and Successes. Read more...

Clinical Immunodiagnostic and Research Laboratory (CIRL)

The Clinical Immunodiagnostic and Research Laboratory offers some of the most advanced testing in the country for a variety of primary immunodeficiencies. Specialists have helped develop research programs in the field of immunology, which have had a significant impact on the health of children and adults nationwide.

The CIRL combines academic, scientific and technical strengths to provide state-of-the-art clinical and research procedures. Get a description of all tests listed in Clinical Flow Cytometry in the Diagnosis of Primary Immunodeficiencies.