Acquired total immunoglobulin G deficiency in a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Abstract

A 38-year-old Japanese woman was hospitalized for susceptibility to respiratory tract infections. Clinical examinations revealed asymptomatic primary cholestasis, abnormally elevated immunoglobulin M (IgM) and antimitochondrial antibody, being consistent with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis. Three years later her serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) decreased remarkably, whereas other immunoglobulins were unchanged. Immunological examinations on the peripheral blood lymphocytes demonstrated spontaneous over-synthesis of serum IgM and decreased synthesis of IgG due to abnormal function of both T and B cells. Our case suggests a new possible association between primary biliary cirrhosis and IgG deficiency.

• Authors: H Take, K Kubota, K Tamura, H Kurabayashi, J Tamura, T Shirakura
• Journal: Journal of internal medicine (J Intern Med) Vol. 238 Issue 3 Pg. 289-92 (Sep 1995) ISSN: 0954-6820 [Print] England
• PMID: 7673860 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• IgG Deficiency (etiology)
• Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary (complications)