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Immunoglobulins (antibodies)

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Immunoglobulins (antibodies) are essential components of the immune system, defending the body against foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins. There are five types of immunoglobulins: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgD.

What is IgA?

  • IgA makes up 10-15% of total immunoglobulins in the blood.
  • It exists in two forms:
    • Serum IgA (found in the bloodstream)
    • Secretory IgA (found in mucosal secretions: tears, sweat, saliva, breast milk, and respiratory/gastrointestinal tract mucus)
  • Secretory IgA plays a critical role in mucosal immunity, preventing pathogens from entering the body and enhancing phagocytosis (the immune process of engulfing and breaking down foreign substances).
  • IgA has a half-life of 6-7 days.
  • Take the test at least 2 hours after the last meal.
  • Avoid smoking for 3 hours before the test.
  • Avoid physical and emotional stress for 1 hour before the test.
  • Evaluation of humoral immunity
  • Diagnosis of immunodeficiency disorders
  • Investigation of recurrent bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections
  • Assessment of immune function in autoimmune diseases
  • Monitoring immunoglobulin therapy effectiveness

Elevated IgA Levels May Indicate:

  • Acute and chronic infections (respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract infections)
  • Recovery phase after primary infection
  • Acute secondary infections
  • Chronic liver diseases:
    • Autoimmune hepatitis
    • Viral hepatitis
    • Cirrhosis (including alcohol-induced liver damage)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • Lymphomas
  • Infectious mononucleosis
  • Neurosyphilis
  • HIV/AIDS

Decreased IgA Levels May Indicate:

  • Physiological hypogammaglobulinemia in infants (3-5 months old)
  • Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)
  • Bruton’s agammaglobulinemia (X-linked immunodeficiency)
  • Hypogammaglobulinemia
  • Leukemia
  • Splenectomy (removal of the spleen)
  • Hyper-IgA syndrome
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Chronic viral infections
  • Ataxia-telangiectasia (Louis-Bar syndrome)
  • Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
  • Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)
  • Nephrotic syndrome