title: Drug-induced IgA deficiency in epileptic patients.
abstract: Serum concentrations of IgA, IgG, and IgM were determined by immunodiffusion technique in 184 epileptic patients and 95 healthy individuals. Twenty-one percent of adult and 42% of children patients receiving anticonvulsants had serum IgA levels below 0.6 mg/ml (the lowest value detected in normal sera). Serum concentrations in non-drug-taking epileptic patients were normal. Deviations in IgG/IgM concentrations were smaller and less consistent. Serum IgA level was determined at intervals before and during phenytoin treatments. A fall in the IgA level occurred in several patients. In two patients, IgA deficiency developed within two to three months of treatment. Low IgA-responders were more frequent among men and children. The IgA anomaly was not specific for any type of epilepsy.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017098:IgA Deficiency; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D010672:Phenytoin