Serum IgG4 concentrations in pancreatic and biliary diseases.
BACKGROUND
Recently, it has been reported that the serum concentration of IgG4, a minor component of IgG subclasses, is increased in autoimmune pancreatitis. However, data regarding IgG4 concentrations in other pancreatic or biliary diseases have been insufficient.


METHODS
Serum IgG4 was measured in 116 patients with pancreatic or biliary diseases (35 autoimmune pancreatitis, 24 chronic pancreatitis except autoimmune pancreatitis, 11 primary sclerosing cholangitis, 23 pancreatic cancer, 3 islet cell tumor, 2 papilla cancer, 15 bile duct cancer, and 3 gallbladder cancer patients). The cut-off concentration of IgG4 was 135 mg/dl.


RESULTS
Increased serum IgG4 was observed in 33 of 35 patients with autoimmune pancreatitis, 0 of 24 with chronic pancreatitis, 4 of 11 with primary sclerosing cholangitis, 0 of 23 with pancreatic cancer, 0 of 3 with islet cell tumor, 0 of 2 with duodenal papilla cancer, 0 of 15 with bile duct cancer and 0 of 3 with gallbladder cancer patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum IgG4 was increased in autoimmune pancreatitis and was within normal limits for other pancreatic or biliary diseases except primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Hirano
Kenji
K
Department of Gastroenterology, University of Tokyo, and Department of Gastroenterology, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. khirano-mitsui@mitsuihosp.or.jp
Kawabe
Takao
T
Yamamoto
Natsuyo
N
Nakai
Yousuke
Y
Sasahira
Naoki
N
Tsujino
Takeshi
T
Toda
Nobuo
N
Isayama
Hiroyuki
H
Tada
Minoru
M
Omata
Masao
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
D007074:Immunoglobulin G