Selective 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.
IgA deficiency is usually inherited, which means it is passed down through families. However, cases of drug-induced IgA deficiency have been reported.
Many people with selective IgA deficiency have no symptoms.
If a person does have symptoms, they may include frequent episodes of:
- Bronchitis (airway infection)
- Chronic diarrhea
- Conjunctivitis (eye infection)
- Gastrointestinal inflammation, including (ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, and a sprue-like illness
- Mouth infection
- Otitis media (middle ear infection)
- Pneumonia (lung infection)
- Sinusitis (sinus infection)
- Skin infections
- Upper respiratory tract infections
Other symptoms include:
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.
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.
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.
Genetic counseling may be of value to prospective parents with a family history of selective IgA deficiency.
IgA deficiency; Immunodepressed - IgA deficiency; Immunosuppressed - IgA deficiency; Hypogammaglobulinemia - IgA deficiency; Agammaglobulinemia - IgA deficiency
Buckley RH. Primary defects of antibody production. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 124.
Cunningham-Rundles C. Primary immunodeficiency diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 250.
Review Date 3/20/2016
Updated by: Stuart I. Henochowicz, MD, FACP, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.