REASSESSMENT OF LEVELS OF SECRETORY IGA IN PATHOLOGICAL SERA USING A QUANTITATIVE RADIOIMMUNOASSAY

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (3) , 633-640
Abstract
Serum s[secretory]IgA levels were quantitated by a new radioimmunoassay in patients with a variety of diseases, lactating women and clinically healthy blood donors. Significantly elevated levels compared to controls were found in lactating women, patients with Crohn''s disease and patients with cirrhosis, but not in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, IgA myeloma or neoplastic disease. Patients with inflammatory disease and serum IgA levels at least 2-fold > the normal mean and patients with a variety of other diseases did not show elevated sIgA levels. In the 2 latter groups, patients with hepatic disease were excluded. High sIgA levels were found in 4 patients with liver metastases from extrahepatic neoplasms. Apparently the liver is important for the maintenance of normal serum sIgA levels.