title: Hyperimmunoglobulinaemia in Babinga Pygmies is present from infancy.
abstract: Pygmies, a population characterized by short stature, have high immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations. In this study, we evaluated Ig levels in Cameroons Babinga Pygmies from infancy to adulthood and the effects of a national health program on these Ig levels. We found that IgG and IgM levels were outside the normal range for Italians of the same age and were comparable to those measured in Babinga Pygmies living in the same region by Siccardi in 1975. In conclusion, the hypergammaglobulinaemia of Babinga Pygmies is already present in infants and is not affected by sanitation improvements, suggesting that it could be partly genetically-determined.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meazza
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Travaglino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pagani
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laarej
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duse
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bozzola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D001827:Body Height / Q000208:ethnology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000208:ethnology; D002163:Cameroon; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006942:Hypergammaglobulinemia / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D012499:Sanitation; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins