Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI)) are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders that result in breakdown of self-tolerance and antimicrobial immunity. IEI are often challenging to be recognized and diagnosed in sub-Saharan Africa, given that this region is already grappling with a high burden of infectious diseases, and microbial susceptibility may be perceived as “part of the norm.” Hence, IEI is often underdiagnosed and underreported given lack of awareness by general practitioners and specialists alike, limited healthcare resources, and inadequate access to specialized testing.

In response to this pressing issue, the African Society for Immunodeficiencies (ASID) and the Allergy Society of Kenya (ASOK) recently organized the 9th Biennial ASID/ASOK Congress in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 25-27, 2025.

Drs Anne Barasa (President) and Evelyn Ng’ang’a (President) hosted the congress, and delegates from Africa, Europe, Asia and the US were in attendance, including FAIS Vice President Lucy Ochola.

From L to R. Dr Anne Barasa, Dr Lucy Ochola (KSI, FAIS), Prof Elena Hsieh (University of Colorado, Anschutz School of Medicine)

One key outcome shared by Prof. Elena Hsieh (University of Colorado, Anschutz School of Medicine and FOCIS member) to consider is the recognition that genetic changes, whether benign or pathogenic, occur at different incidences in different racial and ethnic backgrounds. That is, a mutation that may be rare in one racial background may be common in another. Additionally, even the same genetic changes in different races/backgrounds may have different effects on the immune system, given that the genetic changes have either evolved as a result of, or are post-transcriptionally and post translationally affected by environmental factors such as local infection prevalence/burden, microbiota, exposure to pollution, UV rays, smoking etc. Additionally, medical care, infection prevalence, microbiome all play a role in how the immune system develops and fights disease.

From L to R. Dr Evelyn Ng’ang’a, Prof Elena Hsieh, Dr Anne Barasa,

To tackle these challenges, ASID is focused on increasing awareness by fostering networks across the continent, enhancing diagnostic capabilities that consider diverse genetic backgrounds and providing appropriate guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and management of PIDs in Africa.

Through forging new partnerships, Dr. Anne Barasa, a member of the Kenya Society for Immunology (http://www.ksi.or.ke) and the Centre for Advanced Clinical Immunology in Kenya (CACIK, a FOCIS affiliate), continues to play an instrumental role in bridging the gap between clinical medicine and immunology researchers. Future collaborations among physicians, basic science immunologists, patient advocacy groups, and industry partners are crucial to advancing care and research in IEI in Kenya and other sub-Saharan African countries.