Overview
Acquired immunodeficiency refers to a group of conditions where the immune system becomes weakened not because of an inherited genetic problem, but because of something that happens during a person's life. Unlike primary (inborn) immunodeficiencies, acquired immunodeficiency develops after birth due to external causes. The most well-known form is AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), caused by HIV infection, but there are many other causes including certain medications (such as chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drugs used after organ transplants), cancers that affect the immune system (like lymphoma or leukemia), chronic diseases (such as diabetes or kidney failure), malnutrition, and aging. When the immune system is weakened, the body has trouble fighting off infections and certain cancers. People with acquired immunodeficiency may experience frequent, severe, or unusual infections that healthy individuals would normally fight off easily. These can include repeated pneumonia, persistent fungal infections, chronic diarrhea, and skin infections. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. For HIV/AIDS, antiretroviral therapy has transformed the disease into a manageable chronic condition for many people. For drug-induced immunodeficiency, adjusting medications may help. Supportive care includes preventing infections through vaccines, prophylactic antibiotics, and careful hygiene practices. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy may be used in some cases to boost the immune system.
Key symptoms:
Frequent or recurring infectionsInfections that are unusually severe or hard to treatPersistent feversUnexplained weight lossChronic diarrheaRecurring pneumonia or lung infectionsPersistent oral thrush (white patches in the mouth)Skin infections or rashes that keep coming backSwollen lymph nodesFatigue and weaknessNight sweatsSlow wound healingUnusual cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma or certain lymphomasRecurrent cold sores or shingles outbreaks
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsFlorida State University — NA
San Diego State University — NA
AIDS Malignancy Consortium — PHASE3
University of Florida
Brigham and Women's Hospital — NA
CAN Community Health — PHASE4
University of Maryland, Baltimore — NA
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — NA
Indiana University — NA
Pomeranian Medical University Szczecin
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Acquired immunodeficiency.
20 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Acquired immunodeficiency.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Acquired immunodeficiency.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Acquired immunodeficiency
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Identifying Challenges to Healthy Aging in Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Age 50 and Older
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Acquired immunodeficiency
New recruiting trial: Practice Facilitation as a Strategy to Improve Alcohol Treatment Adoption and Implementation in HIV Care
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Acquired immunodeficiency
New recruiting trial: Strategies to AchieVe Viral Suppression for Youth With HIV
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Acquired immunodeficiency
New recruiting trial: The Trans-Led Care Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Acquired immunodeficiency
New recruiting trial: Cefixime Clinical Trial
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Acquired immunodeficiency
New recruiting trial: The Eswatini PRISM Study on Adolescents Living With HIV
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Acquired immunodeficiency
New recruiting trial: Video-Intervention to Inspire Treatment Adherence for Life for Adolescents
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Acquired immunodeficiency
New recruiting trial: The DC Cohort Longitudinal HIV Status Neutral Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Acquired immunodeficiency
New recruiting trial: Long-term Follow-up of Long-acting Cabotegravir (CAB LA) for PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) in Participants at Risk of Acquiring HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Acquired immunodeficiency
New recruiting trial: Tools to Identify People At Risk or Already Infected with HIV and HCV
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Acquired immunodeficiency
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the specific cause of my immunodeficiency, and can it be reversed?,What infections am I most at risk for, and how can I prevent them?,Do I need prophylactic antibiotics or antifungal medications?,Are there any vaccines I should receive or avoid?,How often do I need blood tests to monitor my immune system?,What symptoms should prompt me to seek emergency care immediately?,Are there any lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, or supplements that could help support my immune system?
Common questions about Acquired immunodeficiency
What is Acquired immunodeficiency?
Acquired immunodeficiency refers to a group of conditions where the immune system becomes weakened not because of an inherited genetic problem, but because of something that happens during a person's life. Unlike primary (inborn) immunodeficiencies, acquired immunodeficiency develops after birth due to external causes. The most well-known form is AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), caused by HIV infection, but there are many other causes including certain medications (such as chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drugs used after organ transplants), cancers that affect the immune system (li
How is Acquired immunodeficiency inherited?
Acquired immunodeficiency follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Acquired immunodeficiency?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Acquired immunodeficiency on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Acquired immunodeficiency?
25 specialists and care centers treating Acquired immunodeficiency are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.