This syndrome, a group of rare hereditary genetic disorders, is characterized by a total absence of immune system function, including an absence of T-lymphocytes, the white blood cells that play a crucial role in the body’s immune defence. “Depending on the nature of the mutated gene, there are two treatments for SCID: either a bone marrow transplantation or thymus transplantation. The thymus is an organ in which immature white blood cells from the bone marrow ‘learn’ to become T-cells. When doctors are unable to identify the real cause of the disorder, they usually turn to bone marrow transplantation. If the results are normal, thymus transplantation is recommended, but if they are abnormal, then a bone marrow transplant is preferred.

Source: Hindustan Times June 21, 2020 12:23 UTC