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Ency. home > Disease > S > Selective deficiency of IgA

Selective deficiency of IgA   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

IgA deficiency

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.

Causes and Risks

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 ther ethnicities. 

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

Ency. home > Disease > S > Selective deficiency of IgA

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