Overview
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare genetic disease that affects your immune system. With CGD, certain white blood cells (neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, eosinophils) are unable to attack and destroy certain bacteria and fungi. This means people with CGD are susceptible to chronic inflammation and frequent bacterial and fungal infections because their immune system can’t defend against them.
People with CGD often develop infections in their skin, lungs, lymph nodes and liver. CGD can increase your risk of developing abscesses (pus-filled pockets) in your organs. Treatment for the condition often involves lifelong antibiotics and antifungals.
How common is CGD?
CGD is uncommon. Healthcare providers diagnose it in about 1 out of every 250,000 people worldwide. CGD occurs more often in people assigned male at birth (AMAB).
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