Other emergencies
Case 22: A Patient with Bronchiectasis
CASE
A 56‐year‐old woman attends the chest clinic with a diagnosis of bronchiectasis. She gives a history of infections dating back to childhood which affected her chest and ears. As well as bronchiectasis, she has chronic sinusitis. Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae are pathogens frequently isolated from her sputum. At her last clinic visit blood test revealed an iron deficiency anaemia, low platelet count, abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) with raised alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and bilirubin. Her total protein level was noted to be low although her albumin level was normal. A possible diagnosis of antibody deficiency was considered.
QUESTION 1
Your score this session: 0 of 0
Which of the following investigations would be the most appropriate in establishing whether this patient has an antibody deficiency?