Overview

Chronic granulomatous (gran-u-LOM-uh-tus) disease (CGD) is an inherited disorder that occurs when a type of white blood cell (phagocyte) that usually helps your body fight infections doesn’t work properly. As a result, the phagocytes can’t protect your body from bacterial and fungal infections.

People with chronic granulomatous disease may develop infections in their lungs, skin, lymph nodes, liver, stomach and intestines, or other areas. They may also develop clusters of white blood cells in infected areas. Most people are diagnosed with CGD during childhood, but some people may not be diagnosed until adulthood

Symptoms

People with chronic granulomatous disease experience serious bacterial or fungal infection every few years. An infection in the lungs, including pneumonia, is common. People with CGD may develop a serious type of fungal pneumonia after being exposed to dead leaves, mulch or hay.

It’s also common for people with CGD to experience infections of the skin, liver, stomach and intestines, brain, and eyes. Signs and symptoms associated with infections include:

• Fever
• Chest pain when inhaling or exhaling
• Swollen and sore lymph glands
• A persistent runny nose
• Skin irritation that may include a rash, swelling or redness
• Swelling and redness in your mouth
• Gastrointestinal problems that may include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, bloody stool or a painful pocket of pus near the anus

When to see a doctor

If you think you or your child has a type of fungal pneumonia from being around dead leaves, mulch or hay, get medical care right away. If you or your child has frequent infections and the signs and symptoms listed above, talk to your doctor.

Causes

A mutation in one of five genes can cause CGD. People with CGD inherit the gene mutation from a parent. The genes normally produce proteins that form an enzyme that helps your immune system work properly. The enzyme is active in white blood cells (phagocytes) that catch and destroy fungi and bacteria to protect you from infections. The enzyme is also active in immune cells that help your body heal.

When there are mutations to one of these genes, the protective proteins are not produced, or they’re produced but they don’t function properly.

Some people with CGD don’t have one of these gene mutations. In these cases, doctors don’t know what causes the condition.

Risk factors

Boys are more likely to have CGD