Selective IgA Deficiency

Introduction
Selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency is a genetic immunodeficiency. People with this deficiency lack immunoglobulin A (IgA), a type of antibody that protects against infections of the mucous membranes lining the mouth, airways, and digestive tract. It is defined as an undetectable serum IgA level in the presence of normal serum levels of IgG and IgM. It is the most common of the primary antibody deficiencies.

Symptoms
People with selective IgA deficiency are at risk of infections. About half of the patients with selective IgA deficiency who come to medical attention have repeated infections of the ears, sinuses, and bronchi (airways of the lungs), and pneumonia. Some other patients with selective IgA deficiency have gastrointestinal infections and ongoing diarrhea. A second major problem in selective IgA deficiency is the occurrence of autoimmune diseases. Allergies may be more common among people with selective IgA deficiency than in the general population, occurring in about 10% to 15% of these individuals.

Treatment
Ongoing or recurrent infections, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and chronic diarrhea—or a combination of these issues—can lead doctors to suspect selective IgA deficiency. The diagnosis is made when the patient's blood tests show an absence of IgA with normal levels of the other major types of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM).

Disease Statistics: National Health Survey stated that around 9.0% of total Population self-reported having Selective IgA deficiency in Mexico. Coming to the statistics in numbers it is estimated around 469,306 are the victims of Selective IgA deficiency in Mexico. It is not only constrained to one region but has impact in the all over the world

Introduction

Selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency is a genetic immunodeficiency. People with this deficiency lack immunoglobulin A (IgA), a type of antibody that protects against infections of the mucous membranes lining the mouth, airways, and digestive tract. It is defined as an undetectable serum IgA level in the presence of normal serum levels of IgG and IgM. It is the most common of the primary antibody deficiencies.

Symptoms

People with selective IgA deficiency are at risk of infections. About half of the patients with selective IgA deficiency who come to medical attention have repeated infections of the ears, sinuses, and bronchi (airways of the lungs), and pneumonia. Some other patients with selective IgA deficiency have gastrointestinal infections and ongoing diarrhea. A second major problem in selective IgA deficiency is the occurrence of autoimmune diseases. Allergies may be more common among people with selective IgA deficiency than in the general population, occurring in about 10% to 15% of these individuals.