Selective
immunoglobulin A (
IgA) deficiency is the most common of the primary immunodeficiencies with a frequency of 1/300-1/3000, depending on the screened population. As
secretory IgA (
SIgA) has a protective role in mucosal surfaces from invasion of microorganisms, it is thought that
IgA-deficient subjects are susceptible to
periodontal diseases and
oral manifestations. Previous studies show contradictory results, concerning the involvement of the individuals' periodontium with
IgA deficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the
oral manifestations in
IgA-deficient subjects with controls. Eleven selective
IgA-deficient subjects aged 3-18 years with serum
IgA levels <10 mg dl(-1) and 11 age-sex-matched healthy children as the controls entered the study. Oral mucosal investigation,
dental caries, plaque accumulation and periodontal status were assessed. Serum
immunoglobulin levels were measured by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) method. Saliva
immunoglobulins and
secretory component levels were measured by
enzyme linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods.
IgA-deficient patients had serum and saliva
IgA levels less than 10 mg dl(-1) and 10 microg ml(-1), respectively, but other serum
immunoglobulin levels were normal and saliva
immunoglobulin M (
IgM) levels were increased, compared with controls. There were no significant differences in
oral manifestations between
IgA-deficient subjects and controls, which may be a result of compensatory increase of saliva
IgM or other non-immunological defence factors in saliva. Thus, it is not necessary to evaluate
IgA and
SIgA in all the patients with oral and dental lesions and it is thought that it is better to investigate other factors.