Increased infection rates in HHT patients – results of an online survey

Introduction:

Several publications have reported an increased risk of bacterial infections for HHT patients.

Method:

We developed an internet based questionnaire on various topics of HHT. The dissemination was supported by CureHHT and the German self-help group. Several questions addressed the rate of infections of HHT patients compared to their partners.

Results:

A total of 701 questionnaires were filled in by patients in January 2017. Patients reported a significantly (p < 0.05, McNemar's test) higher risk to have a sinusitis (n = 352), brain abscess (n = 348), abscess at another location of the body (n = 344), urinary tract infection (n = 353), and pneumonia (n = 349) in the past than their partners. No significantly higher risk was reported for colds (n = 355), gastritis (n = 352), sepsis (n = 342), wound infections (n = 345), skin and soft tissue infections (n = 345), bone and joint infections (n = 343).

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on increased rates of sinusitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections in HHT patients. An increased risk of abscesses is known from the literature in association with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. However, an increased susceptibility to other infections has been postulated as a result of an impaired immune system in HHT. The results of our survey support our hypothesis that some infectious diseases are more common in HHT patients. It is interesting that an increased risk could only be documented for some types of infections. This might serve as a hint for the underlying mechanism of immune modulation.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)