You would expect patients suffering from selective IgA deficiency to present with

You would expect patients suffering from selective IgA deficiency to present with

• A. Food allergies
• B. Septicemias
• C. Recurrent yeast infections
• D. Recurrent respiratory tract infections

Answer: (D)

Secretory IgA provides the first line of defense at mucosal surfaces, especially in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. In selective IgA deficiency, the lack of this antibody weakens mucosal immunity, making infections at those sites more likely. That’s why recurrent respiratory tract infections are the classic presentation. Food allergies aren’t specifically driven by IgA levels, and septicemia implies a systemic infection rather than a mucosal one. Recurrent yeast infections aren’t the hallmark pattern for this deficiency, which centers on mucosal vulnerability rather than widespread or fungal-specific issues.

Secretory IgA provides the first line of defense at mucosal surfaces, especially in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. In selective IgA deficiency, the lack of this antibody weakens mucosal immunity, making infections at those sites more likely. That’s why recurrent respiratory tract infections are the classic presentation.

Food allergies aren’t specifically driven by IgA levels, and septicemia implies a systemic infection rather than a mucosal one. Recurrent yeast infections aren’t the hallmark pattern for this deficiency, which centers on mucosal vulnerability rather than widespread or fungal-specific issues.