Selective immunoglobulin A deficiency
Selective IgA deficiency is a common cause of immunodeficiency caused by low amounts of immunoglobulin A (IgA), resulting in low protection against infections of the mucous membranes lining the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. It is typically accompanied by normal levels of IgM, IgD, and IgG, and slightly elevated levels of IgE. Affected people are susceptible to infections of the mucous membranes lining the mouth, airways, and digestive tract.
Selective IgA deficiency often results from a failure of B cells to differentiate into IgA-secreting plasma cells, so IgA remains bound to their surface, along with IgM and IgD. Most people with selective IgA deficiency generally appear healthy, with no major symptoms. Sometimes, however, they may have more chronic infections, an increased frequency of atopy and asthma, as well as autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Selective IgA deficiency is associated with an increased risk of some malignancies, like gastric and colon cancer.
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Twentieth Edition (Vol.1 & Vol.2)" McGraw-Hill Education / Medical (2018)
- "CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2020" McGraw Hill Professional (2019)
- "Yen & Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology" Saunders W.B. (2018)
- "Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking" LWW (2016)
- "Robbins Basic Pathology" Elsevier (2017)
- "Practice parameter for the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiency" Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (2005)
- "Selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD) and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)" Clinical and Experimental Immunology (2000)
- "Update on the use of immunoglobulin in human disease: A review of evidence" Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2017)
- "Hypersensitivity transfusion reactions due to IgA deficiency are rare according to French hemovigilance data" Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2017)