Mean IgA Levels Research Articles

Sera from breast cancer patients contain an IgA antibody to a breast cyst fluid component

We have previously demonstrated that aspirated breast cyst fluids from women with benign breast disease contained a particulate component (BCF-PC) that reacted with antiserum to the murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV). Since women with breast cancer contain antibodies and antigens reactive with MuMTV it was of interest to measure the immune response in breast cancer patients to the BCF-PC. Sera were obtained from breast cancer patients prior to surgery and 5 days postmastectomy, from women with benign breast disease and from healthy women. Analysis for antibody to the BCF-PC was by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgA from premastectomy breast cancer patients was significantly more reactive with the BCF-PC than was IgA from women in the other categories ( P < 0.001). In contrast, IgG binding to the BCF-PC did not differ among the various groups. It was further demonstrated that the reactivity of IgA from any particular serum for the BCF-PC remained constant for different BCF-PC isolates. Other fractions of breast cyst fluids were unreactive with IgA from breast cancer patients. Determination of serum IgA levels in these women revealed that the mean IgA level was significantly higher in healthy women than in the other categories ( P < 0.001). Individual IgA levels and levels of IgA antibody to the BCF-PC were found to be not correlated in breast cancer patients. These results indicate that the production of a specific IgA antibody to the BCF-PC increases in sera of patients with breast cancer. Lastly, it was shown that preincubation of patients' sera with disrupted MuMTV, but not intact MuMTV, severely reduced subsequent IgA binding to the BCF-PC. The analysis of sera for IgA antibody to the BCF-PC may be of value for the detection of breast cancer or its recurrence.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibodies and antibodies stimulating adenyl cyclase in relatives from two families with a high prevalence of Graves' hyperthyroidism: A ten-year follow-up study

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibodies and antibodies stimulating adenyl cyclase were measured in 47 relatives of patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism from two families with a high prevalence of the disease, in whom bioassays for the long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) had been performed 10 years earlier. Tests were also carried out in six propositi from the two families and age- and sex-matched normal subjects from six families. There had been no new cases of hyperthyroidism since the first study, although one subject was clinically and biochemically hyperthyroid at the time of study and two more were biochemically borderline hyperthyroid but clinically euthyroid. Levels of serum T4 thyrotropin, and percentage T3 resin uptake and free thyroxine indices were similar for relatives and normal subjects, although the mean serum T3 level for relatives was significantly greater than that for the normal subjects. Antibodies were not detected by either assay in any relative. Significant titers of antithyroglobulin antibodies were demonstrated in 4 of 44 relatives but in none of 46 normals tested, while thyroid cytoplasmic antibodies were detected in 8 of 44 relatives and 3 of 45 normals. The mean serum IgG for Graves' relatives was significantly greater than that for the normals, although the mean IgM and IgA levels for the two groups were not significantly different.

The immunological response to polyvalent meningococcal vaccine in Bauchi State, Nigeria

The post-vaccination antibody response to both Group A and Group C meningococcal polysaccharide antigen was studied in 397 male and 359 female vaccinated persons aged between 4 and 40 years from Bauchi Town and neighbouring villages in Nigeria. No difference in response was observed between the sexes. Highest antibody levels occurred in those aged between 13 and 28 years. Haemoglobin genotype did not affect response. Malnourished children had significantly lower mean IgG, IgA and IgM levels and the response to meningovaccine was also lower than in normal children.

Determination of serum immunoglobulins in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. IgA reduction in adult patients.

The concentrations of serum immunoglobulins were determined in 44 adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. A significant reduction of the mean IgA level was observed, while no differences were demonstrated as concerns IgG and IgM levels.

Immunoglobulin Concentrations in Duodenal Fluid of Infants and Children

The immunoglobulin content of duodenal fluid in children at different ages has not as yet been determined, while that of serum, feces, and saliva has been well established. In 92 normal infants, children, and young adults on whom duodenal intubation was performed, duodenal fluid IgA, IgM, and IgG levels were measured. From these data, a developmental profile of immunoglobulins in duodenal fluid from 2 weeks of life to 19 years was obtained. Duodenal fluid IgA, IgM, and IgG appeared to maintain rather constant levels. The grand mean IgA level was lower than the mean IgG level (12.7 +/- 0.8 vs 29.1 +/- 2.5 mg/g of protein). Secretory component was detected in all duodenal fluids. IgG concentrations were greater than those of IgM (29.1 +/- 2.5 vs 13.2 +/- 1.4 mg/g of protein) over all age ranges. The developmental patterns of all immunoglobulins appeared to be different from those observed in serum or saliva with the exception of duodenal fluid IgA, which has a pattern similar to that of salivary IgA.

CLINICAL PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATIONS IN RECURRENT AND PERSISTENT HEMATURIA SYNDROMES (RPHS)

A report from the International Study of Kidney Disease in Children. We report on 75 children satisfying the following criteria: (1) hematuria: 3 or more RBCs/mm3 or trace or more hemastix; (2) recurrent: 2 or more episodes within six months - negative intervening specimens; (3) persistent: consistent positives over 6 months; (4) no family history of nephritis. The following immunological sub-groups were identified: I: Mesangial IgA (12); II: Mesangial IgM (10); III: Vascular C3 (27); IV: Peripheral (epimembranous) IgG (3); V: Mesangial IgG (2); VI: Essentially negative (21). Elevated Cr (>2SD) was found in I 1/12; II 0/10; III 4/27; IV 0/3; V 0/2; VI 4/21. Elevated diastolic BP was noted in I: 1/12 and elevated systolic BP in I: 2/12 and III: 1/27. No significant difference in the pattern of hematuria was noted with respect to gross vs microscopic or intermittent vs persistent. Three patients in group IV had typical epimembranous deposits with microscopic hematuria, only 1/3 had proteinuria. Mesangial hypercellularity was seen in all groups. Focal global or segmental glomerulosclerosis was seen in I 10/12; II 3/10; III 12/27; IV 1/3; V 1/2; VI 7/21. Tubular atrophy was seen in I 9/12; II 2/10; III 8/27; IV 0/3; V 0/2; VI 5/21. Serum Ig s. revealed only increased mean IgA levels in group I.RPHS are associated with several immunopathological patterns. These include mesangial Ig deposits (I,II,IV), vascular C3 (III), epimembranous IgG (IV) and negative (VI). Elevated serum creatinine, glomerulosclerosis, or tubular atrophy was more commonly seen in groups I, III and VI.

Immunoglobulin Levels in Apparently Normal and Hypertensive Nigerian Mothers at Delivery

Immunoglobulin (Ig) levels in 68 apparently normotensive and 29 hypertensive mothers were estimated at parturition. There was a significantly higher incidence of elevated IgG levels in the hypertensive group (p less than 0.005) even though there were no differences in their mean concentrations. The mean IgA levels were not different in the two groups. IgM levels were higher in the hypertensive than in the normotensive mothers. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Ontogeny of the Ferret Humoral Immune Response

Infant ferrets are born with nearly undetectable immunoglobulin levels, but by 9 days of age the infant ferret serum contains 77, 29, and 13% of adult mean serum levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM. Transmucosal uptake of IgG by the infant ferret occurred for the first 30 days of life. The specific anti-respiratory syncytial virus neutralizing titer of whole milk was 5.5 times higher than maternal serum despite a lower concentration of immunoglobulins in the milk.

Serum immunoglobulin changes after accidental splenectomy in adults

Serum immunoglobulin levels were examined in a group of twelve healthy adults who underwent accidental splenectomy. Depressed mean IgM levels and elevated mean IgA levels were found in these patients as compared with the control group consisting of forty-five healthy, untraumatized volunteers. Immunoglobulin changes may have some relevance for the increased tendency to severe infections which has been noted after splenectomy.

Biological variation of immunoglobulin concentrations in normal human tears related to age and sex.

Single radial immunodiffusion method was used to measure the concentration of IgG, IgA, IgM and IgD in tears of 220 healthy individuals aged from 2 to 86 years. Relation of the values to age and sex has been evaluated statistically by regression analysis method. Mean IgA level was 30.7 mg/100 ml. IgG could be detected in 200 samples and the level was less than 1 mg/100 ml. IgM was detected in only 7 samples and the value was less than 1 mg/100 ml. IgD could not be detected in any of the sample. The IgA level in males and that in females differs significantly, the females having a higher mean value. The IgA level appears to increase in both sexes with age. No relationship with age and sex could be established in other types of immunoglobulins.

Serum immunoglobulin levels in normal, premature and postmature newborns and their mothers.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) levels (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgD) were measured in 92 paired maternal and cord sera by the modified single radial immunodiffusion method. There was a progressive increase in mean IgG levels as the gestational age increased which reached a maximum of 1771 mg/100 ml in the postmature babies. The mean IgG level of infants of 32--36 weeks' gestation was lowest (1395 mg/100 ml). The maternal IgG levels were generally higher than those of the cord sera. The mean maternal IgG level (1773 mg/100 ml) was considerably higher than the corresponding level in the cord sera of the lowest gestational age group. Such marked difference was not present in newborns who were of normal gestational ages. The mean IgA and IgM levels of the cord sera were low. There were no significant differences between the mean IgA and IgM levels of newborns in different gestational age groups, even when their mothers showed variations in mean IgA and IgM levels. There was no detectable level of IgD in the cord sera.

Plasma immunoglobulin levels in patients with breast cancer.

The plasma levels of the immunoglobulins IgA, IgG and IgM have been measured in 55 patients with benign breast disease, 28, 68 and 22 patients with early breast cancer one day before, 10-14 days after and three-six months after mastectomy, respectively, and 35 normal healthy control women. The mean levels of IgA, IgG and IgM were similar for all groups examined except for IgG levels in breast cancer patients 10-14 days after mastectomy. In this latter case there was a significant decrease in IgG level shortly after mastectomy but at three-six months after surgery the amounts of plasma IgG were within the normal range. There was no correlation between the amounts of immunoglobulin measured at 10-14 days after surgery, and time to recurrence of the disease.

Immunoglobulins in tear in trachoma patients.

Tear immunoglobulin concentrations have been measured in 100 healthy people and 62 patients in different stages of trachoma. In healthy people the average IgA level was 27-8 mg/100 ml. There was no significant difference in the IgA level in various age groups and between the sexes. IgG was detected in 92 samples, and it was less than 1 mg/100 ml. IgM in tears was detected in only one sample. IgD was not detected in any specimen. In tracoma cases, the mean IgA level was found to be significantly lower (22-0 mg/100 ml) than in healthy people. There was no significant difference in IgA level between different stages of trachoma, IgG, IgD, and IgM could not be detected in any sample from the trachoma cases.

Serum immunoglobulin levels in human hydatidosis

Serum IgG, IgM, IgA and IgD levels of 83 patients with hepatic or pulmonary hydatidosis and 15 postoperative individuals with no cysts were compared with the mean values of 80 healthy Lebanese controls. A significant increase of IgG was present in all patients. An increase in the mean IgM and IgA levels was significant only in pulmonary cases. There was no significant correlation between the titres of antibodies as detected by haemagglutination and complement-fixation tests and the respective serum IgG and IgM immunoglobin levels. Mean IgD levels were not different between patients and controls. Elevated IgE levels were detected in 77% of 21 hydatid patients. A persistent hyperglobulinemia was observed in postoperative follow-ups.

The immunoglobulins in Hodgkin's disease

Serum immunoglobulin levels IgG, IgA and IgM have been investigated in 51 untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease and 102 control persons. In the patients with Hodgkin's disease the mean IgG and IgA level was significantly raised (P: 0·0001 for both). The mean IgM level in males was normal and was significantly increased (P: 0·0012) in females. The increase in IgA level was the most pronounced among the three immunoglobulins.

Immunoglobulins in tears of normal Indian people.

Immunoglobulin concentrations in tears from 50 healthy Indians aged from 14 to 50 years were measured by a standard immunodiffusion method. The levels of IgA were substantial; those of IgG were very low; and IgD and IgM were not present. The mean IgA level was 24-6 mg/100 ml.

Secretory IgA in otolaryngological patients (author's transl)

Salivary IgA levels in healthy adults and children and in otolaryngological patients were measured by electroimmunodiffusion based on the hypothesis that secretory IgA might have an important role in chronic infection of the middle ear, maxillary sinus and palatine tonsil. Salivary IgA levels were as follow: normal adults, 3.2mg/d1±1.92 (N=57); normal children, 2.8mg/d1±2.37 (N=93); adults with chronic otitis media, 2.Omg/dl±1.21 (N=39); adults with chronic sinusitis, 1.6mg/d1±1.08mg/dl± (N=27) and children with chronic tonsilitis, 1.0mg/dl ±0.86 (N=32). The differences in mean salivary IgA concentration between the control and the patients with chronic otitis media, chronic sinusitis and chronic tonsillitis were highly significant at the level of P<0.005. This suggests that local IgA production decreases in these patients. Measu rements of a concentration of salivary IgA may be useful as an indicator of local IgA production in otolaryngic patients. In the next study, the volunteers were exposed to cold outdoor climate for two hours and then were asked to eat very hot noodles. The first gush of excess nasal secretion was collected for secretory IgA determination. The mean IgA level was 14.9mg/dl±8.44 in normal nasal secretion and 145.3mg/dl±157.4 in maxillary secretion from chronic sinusitis. The bulk of maxillary IgA might be derived from serum. A concentration of IgA and secretory piece was compared between saliva and nasal secretion from the same individual in normal subjects, and saliva and maxillary secretion from the patients with chronic sinusitis respectively. A ratio of salivary IgA to nasal averaged 11.0, while a ratio in secetory piece averaged 2.5. There was no relationship to a concentration of IgA betweensaliva and nasal secretion. A ratio of salivary IgA to maxillary averaged 237, while a ratio in secretory piece averaged 1.4. It should be mentioned that secretory piece was not detected in 5 of 14 maxillary secretions. Such deficiency might be due to a failure of production of secretory piece of the.infected epithelial cells.

Serum immunoglobulin levels in farmer's lung disease

The serum concentrations of the five major classes of immunoglobulins were measured in 27 farmer's lung patients and compared with a group of normals and a group of patients with diffuse lung disease, but no precipitins to our antigen panel. The mean IgG and IgA levels in the sera of the farmer's lung patients were found to be significantly higher than that of the normal group. In addition, the IgG level of the farmer's lung group was also significantly higher than the group with negative precipitin tests. The remaining immunoglobulin classes, IgM, IgD, and IgE, were not remarkably different from normal in either diffuse lung disease group.

Secretory IgA in urinary tract infections.

Secretory IgA, measured by radial immunodiffusion, was compared in the urine of children with chronic and recurrent non-obstructive urinary tract infections with that in normal children. IgA, IgG, and IgM were also measured. Absent and low levels of IgA(s) were found in both groups; however, the mean levels of IgA(s) were significantly higher in the infected group compared with normals-3.3 to 0.78 mg./24 hours, respectively. Secretory IgA was found to be locally produced in the bladder. It is suggested that IgA(s) levels reflect an antibody response to infection.

Immunoglobulin levels in normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by hypertension.

SummarySerum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) were measured in 15 non‐pregnant women, 51 normal pregnant women and 83 women with hypertension in pregnancy. In normal pregnant women the mean IgG level was lower than in non‐pregnant women. The mean IgM level rose in late pregnancy, though primigravidae had higher levels than multigravidae. The mean IgA level was increased in pregnant women aged over 25. In patients with hypertension the IgG levels were markedly reduced. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.