title: Selective IgA deficiency and Crohn's disease: report of two cases.
abstract: Two patients are described with Crohn's disease and selective IgA deficiency. Serum IgA was undetectable in each case, and immunoperoxidase studies of the lamina propria showed a gross diminution of IgA-bearing plasma cells. Peripheral blood lymphocytes, however, showed normal numbers of IgA-bearing lymphocytes. The typical clinical course and histology in these two patients suggest that IgA-mediated responses in the mucosa are not involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D004406:Dysgammaglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A