Introduction:

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency is a primary immunodeficiency, with a predominant deficit in antibody production, either total or partial. It is associated with recurrent infections and coexists with allergies, autoimmune diseases and neoplasia.

Objectives:

To characterize the clinical forms, associated diseases and other disorders in the immune system present with IgA deficiency.

Method.

A retrospective descriptive study was carried out, which analyzed the frequency and intensity of infectious and non-infectious diseases, and the results of laboratory tests performed during 6 years in 60 patients with this immunodeficiency.

Results.

The majority of patients had partial deficiency (43 cases, 71.7%). Susceptibility to recurrent infections was confirmed: viral (41.6%), bacterial (40%) and giardiasis (35%); there was an association with allergies (bronchial asthma in 38%) and autoimmune diseases (6.7%). A decrease in lymphoid populations was observed: CD45+CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes in seven cases (11.7%), CD45+CD3-CD19+ B lymphocytes in 16 (26.7) and CD45+CD3-CD56+CD16+ NK cells in three (5%); and a significant decrease in B cells in absolute IgA deficiency. 59 cases were diagnosed with selective deficiency and one with a decrease in specific antibodies (anti-TT).

Conclusions.

Partial IgA deficiency prevailed in this series of cases, the clinical picture was heterogeneous, characterized by recurrent infections and allergies, and autoimmune diseases coexisted in some. The existence of a decrease in lymphocyte populations suggests that patients should be monitored periodically.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )