Selective deficiency of IgA

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Antibodies

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Selective deficiency of IgA

Definition:

Selective deficiency of IgA is defined as low levels of -- or complete absence of -- immune globulin A, which causes decreased immune function in the mucosal surfaces in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines), and lungs. This deficiency results in increased risk for respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. It is associated with autoimmune diseases.

Alternative Names:

IgA deficiency

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

IgA deficiency may be inherited as either an autosomal dominant (requiring only one parent to pass down the defective gene) or recessive (requiring defective genes from both parents) trait. It is found in approximately 1 in 700 individuals of European origin. It is less common in people of other ethnicities.

Affected people often have chronic diarrhea caused by intestinal infections, and frequent respiratory infections. Many develop autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus.

Review Date: 8/3/2005
Reviewed By: Frederic F. Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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