Symptoms and diagnosis [edit]People with selective IgA deficiency - TopicsExpress

Symptoms and diagnosis [edit]People with selective IgA deficiency are usually asymptomatic,[5][6] but can have increased frequency of infections, particularly in the respiratory, digestive and genitourinary systems, for example, sinusitis and urinary tract infections. These infections are generally mild and would not usually lead to an in-depth workup except when unusually frequent. They may present with severe reactions including anaphylaxis to blood transfusions or intravenous immunoglobulin due to the presence of IgA in these blood products. When suspected, the diagnosis can be confirmed by laboratory measurement of IgA level in the blood. Patients have an increased susceptibility to pneumonia and recurrent episodes of other respiratory infections and a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases in middle age.[7] Although it has some similarities to common variable immunodeficiency, it does not present the same lymphocyte subpopulation abnormalities.[8] Those patients with selective immunoglobulin A deficiency may be prone to recurrent infections when on hemodialysis.[9]