Long-term persistence of selective IgA deficiency in healthy adults

A follow-up study of 204 healthy blood donors with IgA deficiency, identified between 1971 and 1980, was carried out. Sera were initially screened by a double diffusion method and 182 were retested by a more sensitive haemagglutination inhibition method. A reexamination was performed in 1990 and, ag...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical immunology 1994-03, Vol.14 (2), p.116-119
Main Authors: KOSKINEN, S, TÖLÖ, H, HIRVONEN, M, KOISTINEN, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
IgA Deficiency - immunology
Immunodeficiencies
Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies
Immunoglobulin A - blood
Immunopathology
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
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Summary:A follow-up study of 204 healthy blood donors with IgA deficiency, identified between 1971 and 1980, was carried out. Sera were initially screened by a double diffusion method and 182 were retested by a more sensitive haemagglutination inhibition method. A reexamination was performed in 1990 and, again, in 1991-1992 using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) developed for the measurement of very low concentrations of IgA. The median follow-up period was 19 years, and in 159 (78%) subjects no serum IgA could be detected in any of the measurements. In 42 (21%) subjects, serum IgA was detectable (> 0.18 mg/L), but the level was below the lower limit of the reference range for adults (800 mg/L) and remained relatively constant. Three subjects showed minute amounts of IgA by EIA (0.2-3 mg/L) in one of the follow-up samples in 1990-1992, but the level was below the detection limit of the EIA (0.05 mg/L) in the other sample. Thus, not only does primary IgA deficiency appear to be permanent, but also lower than normal serum IgA levels remain the same in healthy adults.
ISSN:0271-9142
1573-2592
DOI:10.1007/BF01541344