X-Linked Frequency Report

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Introduction X-Linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (XSCID) is a fatal condition where the Interleukin 2 Receptor Gamma (IL2RG) gene on the X chromosome is mutated, and this does not allow for the body to produce enough or any T cells and natural killer (NK) cells (Citing 8, 11). Both T cells and NK cells are in the body to fight off unwanted antigens in their own ways. T cells focus more on attacking, while NK are more of the killers, hence the name. Also all B cells are produced, even with the mutation, in the normal amounts, if not in excess, but typically do not function properly (12). This matters because B cells make necessary antibodies to fight infections. This change occurs because when the IL2RG gene is mutated it cannot properly encode the γ chain which doesn’t allow the receptors for interleukins to function (8, 9, 11). …show more content…
This is because, for a female to have both of her X chromosomes mutated is very unlikely, especially since this is a recessive trait (nih.gov). A female may carry one mutated X chromosome without knowing it, because she will never experience symptoms from it. But there is testing now to see if females carry the gene or not. Having a test would also greatly improve factors of treating and diagnosing early on to help prevent deaths of the males born with XSCID (13).
In almost all cases XSCIDs isn’t found until after birth, which leaves parents with few options if they want their child to survive. The most common and highly recommended treatments are either gene therapy or a bone marrow transplant (12). These are both risky and can be a burden on the family, yet without a treatment living an immunocompromised life is very difficult, if not impossible. That is why in more recent case studies finding in-utero treatments have proven to be more effective which is what there should be a push to move