Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is characterized by impaired activation of the NADPH oxidase activity in phagocytic cells, resulting in the inability of these cells to generate toxic oxygen radicals and hence to kill catalase-positive bacteria. The NADPH oxidase is composed of four polypeptide subunits and mutations in the corresponding genes (gp91phox, p22phox, p47phox, and p67phox) are responsible for the four different genetic subgroups of CGD. Most cases (65%) involve mutations in gp91phox and are inherited in an X-linked recessive manner. The remainder are autosomal recessive (AR).
Primary immunodeficiency diseases: an update from the International Union of Immunological Societies Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases Classification Committee.
