Final answer:
Hyper IgM syndrome is a primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a defect in isotype switching, leading to higher levels of IgM antibodies in the body. It primarily affects males, and individuals with this syndrome experience recurrent infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hyper IgM syndrome is a primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a defect in the ability to switch from producing IgM antibodies to other types of antibodies like IgG and IgA. This leads to higher levels of IgM in the body. The syndrome is typically inherited as an X-linked recessive trait, meaning it primarily affects males.
Individuals with hyper IgM syndrome face several problems, including recurrent infections due to a compromised immune system. Isotype switching, which is the process of changing from one type of antibody to another, is impaired in these individuals. As a result, they have a higher susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections.