Immunoglobulin A, known primarily as IgA, is a protein found in large amounts in mucous membranes, mainly in respiratory and gastrointestinal mucous membranes, and can also be found in breast milk, which can be transmitted to the baby during lactation and stimulate the immune system.Development of the system.
This immunoglobulin has the main function of defending the body and, therefore, when it is at lower concentrations, it can promote the development of infections, which must be identified and treated according to the doctor’s advice.
- The main function of IgA is to protect the body from infections and can initially be obtained through breastfeeding.
- In which the mother’s immunoglobulins are transmitted to the baby.
- This protein can be classified into two types according to its location and characteristics.
- And may have different functions important for the defense of the body:.
A imunoglobulina A pode ser encontrada em lágrimas, saliva e leite materno, além de também estar presente no sistema geniturinário, digestivo e respiratório, protegendo esses sistemas contra infecções.
Veja também como funciona o sistema imunológico
The increase in IgA can occur if mucous membranes, especially gastrointestinal and respiratory mucous membranes, change, because this immunoglobulin is mainly there, so the amount of IgA can be increased in cases of respiratory or intestinal infections and liver cirrhosis, for example, in addition, there may also be changes in cases of skin or kidney infections.
It is important that more tests are performed to identify the cause of a high level of IgA so that the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
The decrease in the amount of circulating IgA is generally genetic and does not lead to the development of symptoms related to this change, being considered a deficiency when the concentration of this immunoglobulin is less than 5 mg / dL in the blood.
However, the small amount of this circulating immunoglobulin in the body can favor the development of diseases because the mucous membranes are not protected, so in addition to being reduced by genetic factors, an IgA deficiency may also be present in the case of:
Normally, when there is a decrease in IgA, the body tries to compensate for this decrease by increasing the production of IgM and IgG in order to fight the disease and protect the body.It is important that in addition to IgA, IgM and IgG measurements, more specific tests are performed to identify the cause of the alteration and thus initiate the most appropriate treatment.Learn more about IgM and IgG.