BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSelective deficiency of IgAIgA deficiency; Immunodepressed - IgA deficiency; Immunosuppressed - IgA deficiency; Hypogammaglobulinemia - IgA deficiency; Agammaglobulinemia - IgA deficiencySelective deficiency of IgA is the most common immune deficiency disorder. People with this disorder have a low or absent level of a blood protein called immunoglobulin A.Immune deficiency disorderImmunodeficiency disorders occur when the body's immune response is reduced or absent.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes IgA deficiency is usually inherited, which means it is passed down through families. However, there are also cases of drug-induced IgA deficiency.It may be inherited as an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive trait. It is usually found in people of European origin. It is less common in people of other ethnicities.Autosomal dominantAutosomal dominant is one of many ways that a trait or disorder can be passed down through families. In an autosomal dominant disease, if you get the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Autosomal recessiveAutosomal recessive is one of several ways that a trait, disorder, or disease can be passed down through families. An autosomal recessive disorder me...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Many people with selective IgA deficiency have no symptoms.If a person does have symptoms, they may include frequent episodes of:Bronchitis (airway infection) BronchitisAcute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the bronchi, the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, w...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic diarrhea Conjunctivitis (eye infection) ConjunctivitisThe conjunctiva is a clear layer of tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye. Conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva becomes ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gastrointestinal inflammation, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, and a sprue-like illness Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sprue-like illnessCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Mouth infection Otitis media (middle ear infection) Otitis mediaSuspected ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the health care provider. The most common type of ear inf...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumonia (lung infection) PneumoniaPneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinusitis (sinus infection) SinusitisSinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infect...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin infections Upper respiratory tract infections Other symptoms include:Bronchiectasis (a disease in which the bronchial tubes in the lungs become damaged and enlarged) BronchiectasisBronchiectasis is a disease in which the large airways in the lungs are damaged. This causes the airways to become permanently wider. Bronchiectasis...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Asthma without a known causeAsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shortness o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests There may be a family history of IgA deficiency. Tests that may be done include: IgG subclass measurements Quantitative immunoglobulins Quantitative immunoglobulinsQuantitative nephelometry is a lab test to quickly and accurately measure levels of certain proteins called immunoglobulins in the blood. Immunoglob...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Serum immunoelectrophoresisSerum immunoelectrophoresisSerum immunoelectrophoresis is a lab test that measures proteins called immunoglobulins in the blood. Immunoglobulins are proteins that function as ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment No specific treatment is available. Some people gradually develop normal levels of IgA without treatment.Treatment involves taking steps to reduce the number and severity of infections. Antibiotics are often needed to treat bacterial infections.Immunoglobulins are given through a vein or by injection to boost the immune system.Autoimmune disease treatment is based on the specific problem.Note: People with complete IgA deficiency may develop anti-IgA antibodies if given blood products and immunoglobulins. This may lead to allergies or life-threatening anaphylactic shock. However, they can safely be given IgA-depleted immunoglobulins.AllergiesAn allergy is an immune response or reaction to substances that are usually not harmful.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Anaphylactic shockAnaphylaxis is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Selective IgA deficiency is less harmful than many other immunodeficiency diseases.Some people with IgA deficiency will recover on their own and produce IgA in larger quantities over a period of years. Possible Complications Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and celiac sprue may develop.Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Celiac sprueCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article People with IgA deficiency may develop antibodies to IgA. As a result, they can have severe, even life-threatening reactions to transfusions of blood and blood products. When to Contact a Medical Professional If you have an IgA deficiency, be sure to mention it to your health care provider if immunoglobulin or other blood-component transfusions are suggested as a treatment for any condition. Prevention Genetic counseling may be of value to prospective parents with a family history of selective IgA deficiency.Open ReferencesReferencesCunningham-Rundles C. Primary immunodeficiency diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 236.Sullivan KE, Buckley RH. Primary defects of antibody production. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 150.AllVideoImagesTogAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationAntibodies - illustration Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens. AntibodiesillustrationRelated Information Respiratory(Special Topic)Autoimmune disorders(Condition)Autosomal dominant(Special Topic)Rheumatoid arthritis(Condition)Systemic lupus erythematosus(Condition)Rheumatoid arthritis - InDepth(In-Depth)Systemic lupus erythematosus - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 1/23/2022 Reviewed By: Stuart I. Henochowicz, MD, FACP, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Selective deficiency of IgAIgA deficiency; Immunodepressed - IgA deficiency; Immunosuppressed - IgA deficiency; Hypogammaglobulinemia - IgA deficiency; Agammaglobulinemia - IgA deficiencySelective deficiency of IgA is the most common immune deficiency disorder. People with this disorder have a low or absent level of a blood protein called immunoglobulin A.Immune deficiency disorderImmunodeficiency disorders occur when the body's immune response is reduced or absent.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes IgA deficiency is usually inherited, which means it is passed down through families. However, there are also cases of drug-induced IgA deficiency.It may be inherited as an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive trait. It is usually found in people of European origin. It is less common in people of other ethnicities.Autosomal dominantAutosomal dominant is one of many ways that a trait or disorder can be passed down through families. In an autosomal dominant disease, if you get the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Autosomal recessiveAutosomal recessive is one of several ways that a trait, disorder, or disease can be passed down through families. An autosomal recessive disorder me...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Many people with selective IgA deficiency have no symptoms.If a person does have symptoms, they may include frequent episodes of:Bronchitis (airway infection) BronchitisAcute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the bronchi, the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, w...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic diarrhea Conjunctivitis (eye infection) ConjunctivitisThe conjunctiva is a clear layer of tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye. Conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva becomes ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gastrointestinal inflammation, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, and a sprue-like illness Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sprue-like illnessCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Mouth infection Otitis media (middle ear infection) Otitis mediaSuspected ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the health care provider. The most common type of ear inf...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumonia (lung infection) PneumoniaPneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinusitis (sinus infection) SinusitisSinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infect...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin infections Upper respiratory tract infections Other symptoms include:Bronchiectasis (a disease in which the bronchial tubes in the lungs become damaged and enlarged) BronchiectasisBronchiectasis is a disease in which the large airways in the lungs are damaged. This causes the airways to become permanently wider. Bronchiectasis...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Asthma without a known causeAsthmaAsthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to breathing difficulty such as wheezing, shortness o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests There may be a family history of IgA deficiency. Tests that may be done include: IgG subclass measurements Quantitative immunoglobulins Quantitative immunoglobulinsQuantitative nephelometry is a lab test to quickly and accurately measure levels of certain proteins called immunoglobulins in the blood. Immunoglob...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Serum immunoelectrophoresisSerum immunoelectrophoresisSerum immunoelectrophoresis is a lab test that measures proteins called immunoglobulins in the blood. Immunoglobulins are proteins that function as ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment No specific treatment is available. Some people gradually develop normal levels of IgA without treatment.Treatment involves taking steps to reduce the number and severity of infections. Antibiotics are often needed to treat bacterial infections.Immunoglobulins are given through a vein or by injection to boost the immune system.Autoimmune disease treatment is based on the specific problem.Note: People with complete IgA deficiency may develop anti-IgA antibodies if given blood products and immunoglobulins. This may lead to allergies or life-threatening anaphylactic shock. However, they can safely be given IgA-depleted immunoglobulins.AllergiesAn allergy is an immune response or reaction to substances that are usually not harmful.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Anaphylactic shockAnaphylaxis is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Selective IgA deficiency is less harmful than many other immunodeficiency diseases.Some people with IgA deficiency will recover on their own and produce IgA in larger quantities over a period of years. Possible Complications Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and celiac sprue may develop.Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Celiac sprueCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article People with IgA deficiency may develop antibodies to IgA. As a result, they can have severe, even life-threatening reactions to transfusions of blood and blood products. When to Contact a Medical Professional If you have an IgA deficiency, be sure to mention it to your health care provider if immunoglobulin or other blood-component transfusions are suggested as a treatment for any condition. Prevention Genetic counseling may be of value to prospective parents with a family history of selective IgA deficiency.Open ReferencesReferencesCunningham-Rundles C. Primary immunodeficiency diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 236.Sullivan KE, Buckley RH. Primary defects of antibody production. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 150.