Reversible IgA deficiency after severe Gram-negative bacteria infection in a patient with systemic sclerosis

Mod Rheumatol. 2011 Apr;21(2):197-202. doi: 10.1007/s10165-010-0360-0. Epub 2010 Sep 28.

Abstract

A 43-year-old woman with systemic sclerosis (SSc) developed IgA deficiency (IgAD) after cholecystitis. The severe decrease of IgA (<10 mg/dl) partially recovered after 5 years. She had repeated episodes of infection during IgAD. Anti-IgA antibody was not detected. Flow cytometric analysis showed that peripheral CD19(+)IgA(+) and CD38(+)IgA(+) cells were normally present. Although the mechanism of secondary IgAD is still vague, its association with autoimmune diseases including SSc and also with bacterial infection is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cholecystitis / complications*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / blood
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / complications*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / pathology
  • Humans
  • IgA Deficiency / immunology*
  • IgA Deficiency / pathology
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Recovery of Function
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / blood
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / immunology*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / pathology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A