[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 11, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PRIMARY IMMUNE DEFICIENCY DISEASES

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to focus 
attention on primary immune deficiency diseases, PIDD, a problem that 
affects thousands of people across our Nation. Primary immune 
deficiency diseases are genetic disorders in which part of the body's 
immune system is missing or does not function properly. The World 
Health Organization recognizes more than 150 primary immune diseases 
that affect as many as 50,000 people in the United States. Fortunately, 
70 percent of PIDD patients are able to maintain their health through 
regular infusions of a plasma product know as intravenuous 
immunoglobulin. IGIV helps bolster the immune system and provides 
critical protection against infection and disease.
  I am familiar with primary immune deficiencies because one of my 
constituents and long-time Shreveport, LA, residents, Gail Nelson, is a 
PIDD patient. Gail and her husband Syd Nelson have become tireless 
advocates for the primary immune deficiency community as volunteers for 
the Immune Deficiency Foundation. IDF is the Nation's leading 
organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for PIDD 
patients.
  Recently, the foundation entered into a historic research partnership 
with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the 
National Institutes of Health. The establishment of the US 
Immunodeficiency Network represents the most significant advancement in 
primary immune deficiency research in our Nation's history. I was 
pleased to work with the Nelsons, the foundation, and my colleagues in 
the Senate to make this research consortium a reality.
  Despite the recent progress in PIDD research, the average length of 
time between the onset of symptoms in a patient and a definitive 
diagnosis of PIDD is 9.2 years. In the interim, those afflicted may 
suffer repeated and serious infections and possibly irreversible damage 
to internal organs. Thus, it is critical that we raise awareness about 
these illnesses within the general public and the health care 
community.
  I commend the Immune Deficiency Foundation and Gail and Syd Nelson 
for their leadership in this area, and I am proud to join them in 
raising awareness of these diseases. I encourage my colleagues to work 
with us to help improve the quality of life for PIDD patients and their 
families.

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