Descripción general
La deficiencia selectiva de IgA es una afección del sistema inmunitario por el que no tienes o careces de suficiente inmunoglobulina A (IgA), una proteína que combate las infecciones (anticuerpo). La mayoría de las personas con deficiencia selectiva de inmunoglobulina A IgA no tienen infecciones recurrentes. Sin embargo, algunas personas que tienen deficiencia de inmunoglobulina A IgA padecen neumonía, infecciones de oído, infecciones de los senos paranasales, alergias, asma y diarrea.
Las enfermedades autoinmunitarias, en las que el sistema inmunitario ataca determinados órganos o tejidos del propio cuerpo, pueden presentarse con una deficiencia selectiva de inmunoglobulina A IgA. Entre las afecciones autoinmunitarias comunes que se presentan con una deficiencia de inmunoglobulina A IgA figuran la artritis reumatoide, el lupus, la enfermedad celíaca o la enfermedad intestinal inflamatoria.
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Síntomas
Most people with selective IgA deficiency have no symptoms. Some people have illnesses more often than is typical. They also may have a particular illness that returns often. Having frequent illnesses doesn't necessarily mean a person has selective IgA deficiency.
People with selective IgA deficiency may have frequent or repeat episodes of the following:
- Ear infections, particularly in young children.
- Colds.
- Sinus infections.
- Lung illnesses, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Giardiasis, a parasitic illness of the digestive system that causes diarrhea.
Children with frequent illnesses may not eat well or may not gain weight typical for their age.
Causas
Selective IgA deficiency happens when immune system cells don't produce any or produce very few IgA antibodies. The exact reason cells don't produce these antibodies isn't known.
Certain medicines used to treat seizures, epilepsy or rheumatoid arthritis may cause selective IgA deficiency in some people. The deficiency may continue after the medicine is no longer taken.
Factores de riesgo
A family history of selective IgA deficiency increases the risk of the condition. Certain variations of genes appear to be linked to selective IgA deficiency, but no gene is known to directly cause the condition.
Complicaciones
People with selective IgA deficiency are at increased risk of other long-term conditions. These include:
- Allergies and asthma.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Celiac disease.
- Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Common variable immunodeficiency, which is a lack of two or more types of immunoglobulins.
Risk of reaction to blood products
People with selective IgA deficiency are at risk of reactions to blood transfusions or blood products. Because a person's body doesn't make IgA, the immune system may see it as a foreign substance in a blood transfusion or other treatment with blood products.
A reaction may cause high fever, chills, sweating and other symptoms. Rarely, people with selective IgA deficiency have a life-threatening allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis (an-uh-fuh-LAK-sis).
Healthcare professionals recommend wearing a medical bracelet. A bracelet can show that you have selective IgA deficiency and should receive modified blood or blood products.