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Antibodies
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Selective deficiency of IgA

Definition:
Low levels of or complete absence of immune globulin A, which causes decreased immune function in the mucosal surfaces (e.g., mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs) and 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) trait and is found in approximately 1 in 700 individuals of European origin. It is less common in people of other ethnicities.

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



Review Date: 12/1/2001
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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