Immunoglobulins and malabsorption
Jones, E.A.
Acta Clinica Belgica 30(6): 466-473
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 1784-3286 PMID: 816126 Document Number: 85907
Some of the associations between abnormal and intestinal malabsorption were reviewed. Particular attention was drawn to the following. In Ig losing enteropathies associated with dilated intestinal lymphatics, malabsorption of long chain fatty acids may occur. Large amounts of the H chain of the IgA molecule (.alpha. chain) are present in the serum of patients with malabsorption due to the rare lymphoma of the small bowel known as .alpha. chain disease. In celiac disease, gluten challenge results in increased synthesis of IgA and IgM antibodies to gluten by the jejunal mucosa. In certain Ig deficiency syndromes, particularly those in which there is deficiency of IgA, there is often malabsorption, and this may be associated with Giardia lamblia infection, small intestinal villous atrophy and nodular lymphoid hyperplasia.