If your child has been suffering from frequent infections, unexplained inflammation, or symptoms that no specialist has been able to fully explain, this article is for you. In April 2026, a landmark summit in Bengaluru did something never attempted before in India: it brought immunology and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) onto a single clinical platform, with one goal: getting children with immune disorders diagnosed correctly, and cured, before it is too late.
The Manipal Immuno Transplant Summit (MITS 2026), hosted by Manipal Hospital Yelahanka on April 25 and 26, 2026, gathered over 200 delegates and more than 15 national and international experts to confront one of the most underdiagnosed yet life threatening areas in pediatric medicine: primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs).
What Happened at the Summit?
The summit was organized by Dr. Sagar Bhattad, Lead Consultant in Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology, and BMT at Manipal Hospital Yelahanka, and India's first formally trained pediatric immunologist. Sessions spanned real world case discussions, diagnostic challenges, evolving transplant strategies, and long term outcomes. Delegates came from Delhi, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
"This is the first time we have brought immunodeficiencies and their definitive cure, bone marrow transplantation, together on one forum. This summit reflects a shift: from delayed recognition to timely cure."Dr. Sagar Bhattad, Organising Secretary, MITS 2026
Why Primary Immunodeficiencies are so Often Missed
Primary immunodeficiencies are genetic conditions in which part of the immune system is missing or malfunctions from birth. Yet they are frequently unrecognized for months or years, sometimes until a child is critically ill. A child with recurrent pneumonia might be treated for respiratory infections for years before anyone tests the immune system. The same is true for persistent ear infections, chronic diarrhea, or unexplained skin and gut inflammation.
In high income countries, neonatal screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is standard. In India, this infrastructure is still developing. The summit's message was clear: until screening is in place, increased clinical suspicion across specialties is the most practical tool available. Dr. Bhattad's team has evaluated over 550 patients with immunodeficiencies and performed one of the largest volumes of BMT for immune disorders in India. His message: immunodeficiencies are curable, but only when identified in time.
What International Experts Said
Dr. Janet Markle, a leading US geneticist known for identifying novel immune disorders, presented on functional testing's role in uncovering new disease pathways, making the case that genetic sequencing alone is not always enough.
"Genetics gives us the blueprint, but functional testing tells us how the disease behaves in real life. When we combine both, we not only diagnose earlier but also redefine disease pathways." Dr. Janet Markle, Geneticist, USA
Prof. Dr. Andrew Gennery, a UK authority in pediatric immunology and BMT, addressed a critical and frequently overlooked point: BMT for immunodeficiency is fundamentally different from transplants for leukemia or blood cancers. Timing, patient selection, and immune reconstitution all require a level of subspecialized expertise that most transplant units are not specifically trained for.
"Bone marrow transplantation in immunology requires a specialized understanding. When done right, these transplants can offer a complete cure, changing the trajectory of a child's life."Prof. Dr. Andrew Gennery, Pediatric Immunology and BMT, UK
The Case for Integration
For a long time, immunologists diagnosed PIDs and hematologists performed transplants, rarely in the same room, rarely at the same time. The result: children waited longer, and some missed the window for a curative intervention entirely.
When immunodeficiency and transplant medicine are treated as one clinical discipline rather than two separate departments, the window for a curative transplant stops being missed.
Manipal Hospital Yelahanka has begun building exactly this integrated model, and is one of the few centers in India with a dedicated pediatric immunologist alongside a focused BMT program for immune disorders. It has also been recognized by the Immune Deficiency Foundation (USA) as a Center of Excellence in immunology and BMT.
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What This Means for International Families
BMT for PIDs is a rare and demanding procedure. Very few centers globally combine the case volume, multidisciplinary infrastructure, a dedicated pediatric immunologist, and the transplant expertise to do it well. For families in countries where this specific transplant is not offered locally, or where waiting times make early intervention impossible, India is a credible, internationally validated option.
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Conclusion
MITS 2026 marked a measurable shift in how India's medical community approaches immune disorders in children, moving from fragmented, symptom by symptom management to an integrated, diagnosis first, cure focused model. Early clinical suspicion, cross specialty collaboration, and timely access to a center with real BMT expertise can be the difference between a child who lives with a lifelong condition and one who is cured. For families navigating these diagnoses anywhere in the world, knowing that this level of care now exists in India, and how to access it, is the first step.
References
- PR Newswire / Manipal Hospitals. (May 8, 2026). Integrating Immunology and Transplant Medicine on a Unified Platform. https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/integrating-immunology-and-transplant-medicine-on-a-unified-platform-manipal-hospital-yelahanka-hosts-landmark-immuno-transplant-summit-in-bengaluru-302766842.html
- The Wire. (May 8, 2026). https://thewire.in/ptiprnews/integrating-immunology-and-transplant-medicine-on-a-unified-platform-manipal-hospital-yelahanka-hosts-landmark-immuno-transplant-summit-in-bengaluru
- Manipal Immuno Transplant Summit 2026. https://www.manipalimmunotransplantsummit.in/
About Hospidio: This post provides factual, evidence based information about global healthcare developments. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice.
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Shruti Verma has completed her M.Tech in Biotechnology with experience in medical writing and scientific content development. She specializes in translating complex biomedical and healthcare information into clear, accurate, and reader-friendly content for diverse audiences. When she is not designing content, probably she is designing graphics.
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