What autoimmune condition leads to a decrease in gamma globulins, making individuals more susceptible to infections?

Hypogammaglobulinemia is characterized by a decrease in the levels of gamma globulins, which are a fraction of serum proteins that contain antibodies essential for the immune response. This condition can significantly impair the body's ability to produce sufficient antibodies, resulting in a weakened immune system. As a result, individuals with hypogammaglobulinemia have an increased susceptibility to infections, particularly bacterial and some viral infections, because their bodies are less equipped to fight off pathogens without adequate antibody levels.

Understanding the context of this condition involves noting that gamma globulins, produced by B cells, play a crucial role in the immune defense. When their levels are low, as in hypogammaglobulinemia, the body's ability to mount a protective response against infections is compromised, leading to recurrent or chronic infections.

In contrast, other mentioned conditions, such as hypergammaglobulinemia, involve an increase in gamma globulins and are often associated with chronic infections or certain diseases rather than a vulnerability to them. Agammaglobulinemia, which is a complete absence of gamma globulins, also represents a severe immunodeficiency but is typically considered a more extreme form than hypogammaglob