SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULIN ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY-TRACT DISEASE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (2) , 49-52
Abstract
Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations in patients representing 4 different categories of respiratory diseases are compared with each other and with an age related group of healthy volunteers. Natural immune stimulation of the respiratory tract results in a significant rise in serum IgA and IgG but not IgM. A comparison with their respective normal serum control values indicates that the major increase is within the IgA class and that although significant, the rise in IgG is relatively minor. The preferential serum IgA response observed in the patient population suggests that bronchial associated lymphoid tissue in the diseased lung is an important source of circulating IgA.