Symptoms Of Selective IgA Deficiency And Related Conditions

Selective IgA deficiency is a condition of an individual's immune system where they do not have enough of an antibody or protein with the function of fighting infections called immunoglobulin A (IgA). Selective IgA deficiency is characterized by indiscernible levels of immunoglobulin A in a patient's secretions and blood. Individuals affected by this deficiency do not typically have a deficiency of any other immunoglobulin proteins. Different immunoglobulin proteins are present in different defense mechanisms in a patient's body. Most of an individual's immunoglobulin A is present in the mucosal surface secretions such as colostrum, respiratory secretions, saliva, gastrointestinal secretions, tears, and genital secretions. These body regions in healthy individuals are well protected from pathogens because of immunoglobulin A presence. An estimated one out of every five hundred Caucasians is affected by selective IgA deficiency. Half of the affected individuals experience symptoms related to increased infection susceptibility.