Master Hyper IgE Syndrome with Picmonic for Medicine

Hyper IgE syndrome, or Job syndrome, is most often an autosomal dominant disease associated with STAT3 gene mutations. As it is an autosomal dominant disease, all carriers of the disease will present with symptoms and affected parents will pass on the disease to 50% of their children.

Mutations in the STAT3 gene are responsible for the pathogenesis of Job syndrome. This mutation leads to increased IgE production by B lymphocytes as well as resistance to anti-inflammatory mediators. Additionally, patients have a relative deficiency of Th17 cells.

Patients with Job syndrome will have increased levels of IgE on laboratory tests. The underlying STAT3 mutation in these patients leads to unregulated IgE production by B lymphocytes.

The defect in STAT3 seen in these patients also results in impaired chemotaxis of neutrophils to sites of infection. As a result, these patients have difficulties with staving off infection.

Leonine facies is a descriptive term used for a deeply furrowed ‘lumpy' face with prominent superciliary arches that is seen in Hyper IgE syndrome.

Patients with Job syndrome have difficulty staving off infection. As a result, they often develop staph aureus skin abscesses. These abscesses are typically non-inflamed, or cold, due to impaired neutrophil recruitment.

Patients with Job syndrome typically fail to lose baby teeth. This is due to failed resorption of the roots of primary teeth.

Patients with Job syndrome typically present with an eczematous rash. Patients are additionally prone to staphylococcal superinfections.

Patients with Hyper IgE syndrome typically require lifelong prophylactic antibiotics. Preferred agents include cephalosporins, antifungal agents, and penicillinase-resistant penicillin.