title: Lack of association between IgA deficiency and respiratory atopy in young male adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The issue of atopy and increased serum IgE in IgA deficiency is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of IgA deficiency and its relationship with respiratory atopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study on 4700 consecutive young males (age range 18-23), who underwent a health screen for admission to the Italian Airforce Academy between 1993 and 1995 was conducted. Serum IgA was measured by immunoturbidimetry and total and specific IgE by fluorescent enzyme immunoassay (Phadiatop FEIA, Pharmacia Cap System). Airway responsiveness was assessed by methacholine challenge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IgA deficiency was detected in 0.34% (16/4700) subjects and atopy was detected in 8.6% (406/4700). The mean IgA was 243 mg/dl (95% CI 107, 442) in the 406 atopic subjects and 238 mg/dl (95% CI 100, 441) in 1544 controls. Only 6 (37.5%) of the IgA deficient subjects had subnormal IgE levels and 6 were positive in the fluorescent EIA. None of the IgA deficient patients presented with respiratory hyper-reactivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atopy is not more prevalent in young male adult IgA deficient subjects, who rather display a high frequency of recurrent sinusitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital "Dei Colli", 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parrella
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Murru
authors.forename: P R J
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Ames
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martucci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rotiroti
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Manfroni
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cioffi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tommasino
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Esposito
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D017098:IgA Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007073:Immunoglobulin E