A person living with CGD has a greater risk of frequent, serious,* and life-threatening infections because their immune system is not able to fight off certain harmful bacteria and fungi.
People with CGD may develop infections in the lungs, stomach, skin, bones, or other areas.
These infections can cause permanent damage to body parts, such as the lungs. People with CGD may also develop clusters made up of cells and other tissues (called granulomas) in the affected areas of the body.
*An infection is serious if you have to go to the hospital and/or get intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
CGD is a genetic condition that happens when specific genes don’t work properly. These genes are inherited, or passed down, through generations of family members. How genes are passed down can determine the risk and type of CGD a person may inherit.
X-linked CGD is the most common type of CGD. It is inherited through a mutation on the X chromosome that is passed down on the mother’s side. Most cases of X-linked CGD affect males. They have a 50% chance of inheriting CGD from the mother if she is a carrier.
Autosomal recessive CGD is passed down when both the mother and the father pass down one affected gene. Autosomal recessive CGD can affect both males and females.
How likely is a child to have autosomal recessive CGD when both parents are carriers?
25% chance of being affected
50% chance of being a carrier
25% chance of being unaffected
A woman with a copy of the mutated gene on one of her X chromosomes is called an X-linked carrier.
X-linked carriers have a 50% chance of passing down this nonfunctioning gene to their children. Often, mothers learn that they are carriers of CGD through their sons’ diagnosis. Women who are X-linked carriers of CGD may be at an increased risk of serious infections, but are more likely to experience noninfectious complications such as inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
CGD can be managed by making health and lifestyle changes, by taking medicines, or in some cases through medical procedures. The types of medicines used for treating CGD are aimed at preventing serious*, life-threatening infections which may be treated in the hospital with intravenous antibiotics.
People with CGD may be prescribed a combination of medicines, including immunomodulatory therapy, antibiotics, and antifungals, to help prevent serious infections.
*An infection is serious if you have to go to the hospital and/or get intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
