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IgA deficiency: what is it? |
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Written by Dr Rodney Ford
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Thursday, 07 December 2006 |
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About one in every 400 people have a selective IgA deficiency. This means that they lack the special protein in their body called “immunoglobulin A” (also known as “IgA” for short). This particular antibody family helps protect you against infections of the wet skin: that is the mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are the wet skin areas that line your mouth, your lungs and your gut.
People with IgA deficiency cannot make this IgA protein because to defective immune cells: the B lymphocyte cells of your immune system. IgA deficiency interferes with diagnosis of celiac disease
Measuring the IgA level in the diagnosis of celiac/Gluten Syndrome is important. This is because the tTG and EMA antibodies are made from IgA. If there is no IgA available, then these diagnostic antibodies cannot be made, and these tests will not be useful. The symptoms of IgA deficiency.
Most people with IgA-deficiency are fully healthy. But some do have a few more infection such as ear, sinus, or lung infections. Also, if you have an IgA-deficiency, then you are more likely to have asthma, chronic diarrhoea, and autoimmune diseases. And of course more likely to have coeliac disease: about 10% of coeliacs are deficient in IgA. Any treatment?
There is no specific treatment for selective IgA deficiency. But any severe infections can be treated with the appropriate antibiotics. |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 02 December 2007 )
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