Selective IgA deficiency and Crohn's disease: report of two cases

Abstract

Two patients are described with Crohn's disease and selective IgA deficiency. Serum IgA was undetectable in each case, and immunoperoxidase studies of the lamina propria showed a gross diminution of IgA-bearing plasma cells. Peripheral blood lymphocytes, however, showed normal numbers of IgA-bearing lymphocytes. The typical clinical course and histology in these 2 patients suggest that IgA-bearing responses in the mucosa are not involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.