[Comparative serum and secretory IgA studies in recurrent bronchial infections (preliminary note)]

In a group of 84 patients with recidivating bronchial infections IgA were evaluated with the aid of radial immunodiffusion according to Mancini. In all the patients IgA were determined from expectoration extractions and in 50 of them serum IgA were also determined. In 38 cases the determinations were simultaneous. Concentration of S IgA was low in most of the cases (65%). These results are probably influenced by the technical difficulties raised by detaching the connections existing between S IgA and mucus fibrils from the bronchial secretion. The results obtained in the dosage of serum IgA are comparable with those mentioned in the current literature. No correlations were possible between S IgA and serum IgA and there proteins can be considered as independent.