Primary Immune Regulatory Disorder (PIRD) Clinic
The Pediatric Primary Immune Regulatory Disorder (PIRD) Clinic cares for children with complex immune system problems that have a genetic cause. The label PIRD covers a diverse group of rare disorders in which the immune system malfunctions – it is overactive, underactive or doesn’t respond appropriately to challenges.
Depending on the particular genetic mutation, a child with PIRD may develop an autoimmune disorder, a condition in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues; hyperinflammation or autoinflammation, in which the immune system overreacts or reacts without cause; severe allergies; or other conditions in which key immune cells aren’t functioning properly. These conditions usually become apparent in the first years of life and they are difficult to treat, leaving patients vulnerable to disability and death.
Our goal at the PIRD Clinic is to change the common course for these diseases. Directed by Dr. Alice Chan, an expert on PIRD, our team of pediatric specialists works to determine the underlying genetic cause of each patient’s condition. Once we have this diagnosis, we can design a therapy that precisely targets the defective immune system pathway. For example, if our genetic testing shows a defect in the gene that makes CTLA4, an important protein for controlling the immune system, we can treat the patient with a drug that delivers this protein.
For some children with PIRD, the best treatment is a stem cell transplant. In these cases, we collaborate with the team at the UCSF Blood & Marrow Transplant (BMT) Clinic. Finding the best option for each child and family is part of our mission to bring the best care to children with PIRD.
Our locations (1)
Our team
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Alice Y. Chan
MD, PhD
Pediatric allergist, immunologist and rheumatologist -
Morna J. Dorsey
MD, MMS
Pediatric immunologist and allergist -
Kristin A. Shimano
MD
Pediatric hematologist-oncologist -
Sofia Verstraete
MD
Pediatric gastroenterologist -
Emily von Scheven
MD, MAS
Pediatric rheumatologist -
Xin-Hua Chen
LCSW, MSW
Social worker -
Mica Muskat
PNP
Pediatric nurse practitioner
Awards & recognition
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Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your child's condition
- List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
- Immunization record
- List of doctors and locations seen in the past
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes
Related clinics (4)
3
Blood & Marrow Transplant (BMT) Clinic
Support services
Clinical trials
A Trial Comparing Unrelated Donor BMT With IST for Pediatric and Young Adult Patients With Seve...
The median time to failure or death will be compared on the two arms using the log-rank test. Failure of IST is defined as the date that a second definitive therapy was recommended (BMT, second course of ATG) and failure of BMT de...
Recruiting
More about this study
Prevalence of Antibodies and Cytokines in Participants With Chronic Granulomatous Disease
Level of total adenoviral-specific antibody in blood
Recruiting
More about this studySmell the roses
Wander outside into our Butterfly Garden in Oakland and our healing gardens at Mission Bay.
