Description

Selective IgA deficiency is the lack of a disease-fighting antibodies in the immune system called immunoglobulin a (IgA). People with this condition usually have typical levels of other immunoglobulins (im-u-no-GLOB-u-lins).

An immunoglobulin is an antibody produced by cells of the immune system to fight bacteria, parasites and other agents that cause disease. IgA antibodies circulate in the blood and is found in tears, saliva, breast milk, and the fluids released from the mucosa of the respiratory tract, the lungs and the digestive system.

Most people with selective IgA deficiency have no symptoms. But some people with selective IgA deficiency have a common disease of the respiratory tract, the lungs and the digestive system.

Selective IgA deficiency may increase the risk of other conditions related to the immune system, such as allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and others.

There is no specific treatment for selective IgA deficiency. The treatments are focused on the treatment of the frequent repetition or long-term conditions that develop with this disorder of the immune system.

Symptoms

Most people with selective IgA deficiency have no symptoms. Some people have illnesses with more frequency than is usual. They may also have a particular disease that is often repeated. Have frequent illnesses does not necessarily mean that a person has selective IgA deficiency.

People with selective IgA deficiency may have frequent or repeat episodes of the following:

  • Ear infections, especially in young children.
  • Colds.
  • Infections of the sinuses.
  • Lung diseases, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
  • Giardiasis, a parasitic disease of the digestive system, causing diarrhea.

Children with frequent illnesses can not eat this or you will not gain weight typical for their age.

Causes

Selective IgA deficiency occurs when cells of the immune system does not produce any or produce very few IgA antibodies. The exact reason for which the cells do not produce these antibodies is not known.

Certain medications used to treat seizures, epilepsy, or rheumatoid arthritis can cause selective IgA deficiency in some people. The deficiency can continue after the medicine is stopped.

Risk factors

A family history of selective IgA deficiency increases the risk of the disease. Certain variants of genes that appear to be linked to the selective IgA deficiency, but not gene is known that the direct cause of the disease.

Complications

People with selective IgA deficiency are at increased risk of other long-term conditions. These include:

  • Allergies and asthma.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • The celiac disease.
  • The inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Common variable immunodeficiency, which is a lack of two or more types of immunoglobulins.

Risk of reaction to blood products

People with selective IgA deficiency are at risk of reactions to transfusion of blood or blood products. Because the body of a person does not IgA, the immune system can be seen as a foreign substance in a blood transfusion or other treatments with products from the blood.

A reaction can cause high fever, chills, sweating, and other symptoms. Rarely, people with selective IgA deficiency have a life-threatening allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis (an-uh-fuh-LAK-sis).

Health professionals recommend wearing a medical bracelet. A bracelet can show that you have a selective IgA deficiency and should be modified blood or blood products.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of selective IgA deficiency is based on a blood test that measures the levels of immunoglobulins in the blood. IgA deficiency may be partial or complete.

Your health care professional may order an immune globulin blood test because they have had with frequency or recurrence of the disease. The test can also be a part of a series of laboratory tests to diagnose or rule out other conditions.

Treatment

Treatment antibiotics are prescribed as needed to treat bacterial disease. If you have had a long-term illness, such as chronic bronchitis, you may receive antibiotics as a preventative treatment. This therapy is called antibiotic prophylaxis (pro-fuh-LAK-sis).

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing your primary healthcare professional. You may be referred to a specialist in disorders of the immune system is called an immunologist.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand. Also make a list of:

  • The symptoms , including those that do not seem to be related to the reason for the appointment.
  • Key personal information , including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you take, the dosage of each one and the reason for each one.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember information that it receives.

Questions that you can do if you have experienced frequent or repeat diseases include:

  • What are the possible causes of these diseases that are prevalent?
  • What tests are needed?
  • What are the possible treatment plans?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask several questions, such as:

  • What symptoms have you had?
  • What diseases have been diagnosed with in the past?
  • How often have you had these diseases in the past year?
  • What treatments has had a previous illness?
  • There is a history of immune system disorders in your family?
Symptoms and treatment of Selective IgA deficiency