Short answer · Medically reviewed summary · Last updated: 2026-05-08
Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is most commonly referred to by that name or simply as CVID. While historical terms like "acquired hypogammaglobulinemia" exist, "Common Variable Immunodeficiency" is the current standardized clinical term used by global medical organizations to describe this heterogeneous group of primary immunodeficiency disorders. What are the historical and alternative names for Common Variable Immunodeficiency? Medical literature has evolved as our understanding of Common Variable Immunodeficiency has deepened.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency synonyms
Other names for Common Variable Immunodeficiency: synonyms, acronyms and related terms used by doctors and patients.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is most commonly referred to by that name or simply as CVID. While historical terms like "acquired hypogammaglobulinemia" exist, "Common Variable Immunodeficiency" is the current standardized clinical term used by global medical organizations to describe this heterogeneous group of primary immunodeficiency disorders.
What are the historical and alternative names for Common Variable Immunodeficiency?
Medical literature has evolved as our understanding of Common Variable Immunodeficiency has deepened. In older textbooks or medical records, you may encounter terms such as late-onset hypogammaglobulinemia, adult-onset agammaglobulinemia, or acquired hypogammaglobulinemia. These names were historically used because the condition often presents in adulthood, though we now know it can manifest in childhood as well. Because Common Variable Immunodeficiency represents a spectrum of immune defects rather than a single genetic mutation, the nomenclature has shifted toward descriptive titles that reflect its "variable" nature.
How is Common Variable Immunodeficiency classified in medical systems?
To ensure consistency across borders, global health authorities assign specific codes to Common Variable Immunodeficiency. In clinical settings, you will find it categorized under the following identifiers:
- Orphanet: ORPHA:457 (classified under Primary Immunodeficiency)
- OMIM: #240500 (Common Variable Immunodeficiency 1)
- ICD-10-CM: D83.0 (Common variable immunodeficiency with predominant abnormalities of B-cell numbers and function)
Why does Common Variable Immunodeficiency have multiple names?
The naming of Common Variable Immunodeficiency reflects the transition from observational medicine to molecular genetics. Early clinicians named the disease based on the primary symptom (low gamma globulin levels) and the age of onset. As researchers discovered that Common Variable Immunodeficiency involves complex interactions between B-cells, T-cells, and various genetic mutations, the term "Common Variable" was adopted to acknowledge the wide clinical range of the disease. Today, Common Variable Immunodeficiency is the preferred term used by the Immune Deficiency Foundation and clinical immunologists worldwide.
Next steps
- Consult a board-certified clinical immunologist to confirm your diagnosis and review your medical records.
- Connect with the 22 members of the Common Variable Immunodeficiency community on DiseaseMaps.org to share experiences.
- Visit the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) website for up-to-date patient resources and clinical trial information.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) GARD: Common Variable Immunodeficiency
- Orphanet: ORPHA457, Common Variable Immunodeficiency
- Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM): Entry #240500
- Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF): Understanding CVID
