Editorial: Diseases with immune dysregulation in Africa

Résumé

Immune dysregulation encompasses a broad spectrum of disorders, including inborn errors of immunity (IEIs), autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, allergic disorders, and cancers.Although traditionally considered distinct entities, these disorders are increasingly recognized as interconnected manifestations of impaired immune homeostasis resulting from diverse alterations affecting immune development, regulation, and function. Advances in molecular and cellular technologies have profoundly reshaped our understanding of these diseases, shifting clinical immunology toward an integrated, mechanism-based discipline. This evolving understanding is particularly relevant in Africa. While infectious diseases continue to represent an important public health challenge, immune-mediated disorders are becoming increasingly recognized across the continent. Nevertheless, evidence from African populations remains limited, resulting in substantial gaps in epidemiological data, genetic characterization, and disease-specific diagnostic and management strategies. This knowledge gap is especially important in North Africa, where high rates of consanguinity increase the burden of inherited disorders and underscore the need for earlier diagnosis and improved access to specialized care.To address these unmet needs, this Research Topic brings together 11 contributions, comprising six original research articles (Tahiat et al., Ben Khaled et al., Ben Nejma et al., Hadjout et al., Meddeb et al. and Tajouri et al.), four case reports (Kattra et al., Yaakoubi et al., Belaid et al. and Abida et al.) and one review (Djidjik et al.). Together, these contributions illustrate recent advances in the understanding of immune dysregulation through investigations originating from North Africa that span the spectrum of immune dysregulation diseases, from monogenic disorders to more complex multifactorial conditions. The studies brought together in this Research Topic collectively demonstrate that immunological research in Africa is entering a new era. Studies conducted in African cohorts are not only validating existing knowledge but also expanding it through the identification of novel pathogenic variants, the elucidation of distinctive genotype-phenotype relationships and the characterization of population-specific biomarker profiles. Moreover, these studies address important regional healthcare priorities while contributing to improved diagnosis and patient management. Continued investment in collaborative research, advanced immunological diagnostics, and research infrastructure across the continent will further strengthen Africa's contribution to unraveling disease mechanisms and foster internationally relevant discoveries.

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