Symptoms Of Selective IgA Deficiency And Related Conditions

Sinusitis

Patients who experience recurrent sinusitis infections may have selective IgA deficiency. The sinuses are air pockets that sit just within the bones of an individual's face that surround their nose. Typically, these pockets are hollow and function to produce mucus that subsequently drains into the nose. However, the sinuses can easily become blocked, which makes a nice place for pathogens to colonize. The immune system responds to this pathogenic invasion, and the result is sinusitis. The blockage that begins the cascade of events leading to sinusitis can be caused by allergies.

The mucus that lines the nasal passages and sinuses does not contain immunoglobulin A in individuals who have selective IgA deficiency. This malfunction means their natural defenses to a pathogenic invasion of these areas are impaired. Oftentimes, sinusitis can be challenging to treat in selective IgA deficiency patients because topical intranasal beclomethasone, antibiotics, and N -acetylcysteine are ineffective at reducing sinus inflammation and eradicating pathogens.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can be indicative of selective IgA deficiency due to the fact both disorders are associated with each other. Patients with selective IgA deficiency may produce a small quantity of immunoglobulin A that induces the production of anti-IgA antibodies. These antibodies are the result of a defective immunological response analogous to the incidence of rheumatoid factors in individuals who have autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Between twenty-five and thirty-three percent of selective IgA deficiency patients are also affected by an autoimmune disorder.

Individuals affected by rheumatoid arthritis have immune systems that produce antibodies and T-cells that mistakenly attack the tissues of the synovium or lining of their joints. This immune response results in redness, swelling, pain, bone deformities, and bone erosion in the affected joints. A patient's smaller joints are typically impacted by rheumatoid arthritis at first, like the joints in the toes, feet, fingers, and hands. The disease then progresses on to affect the knees, elbows, shoulders, wrists, ankles, and hips.