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Raised urinary secretory IgA in chronic diarrhoea
A Prentice1, D M Stirling, P B Sullivan
1MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Cambridge.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Malnourished children with chronic diarrhea showed increased urinary secretory IgA (sIgA) output, indicating a stimulated immune response. This suggests a common secretory immune system can respond to intestinal disease even in undernourished individuals.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Secretory IgA (sIgA) is crucial for mucosal immunity.
- Nutritional status can impact immune responses.
- Chronic diarrhea is a significant health issue in malnourished children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate urinary secretory IgA (sIgA) output in malnourished children with chronic diarrhea.
- To compare sIgA levels between children with and without chronic diarrhea.
- To explore the relationship between nutritional status and sIgA production.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples were collected from 24 malnourished children with chronic diarrhea and 43 healthy village children in The Gambia.
- Urinary secretory IgA (sIgA) output was measured.
- Children's nutritional status was assessed using weight-for-age data.
Main Results:
- Village children with poor nutritional status had significantly lower sIgA output compared to better-nourished children.
- Children with chronic diarrhea exhibited significantly higher urinary sIgA output than village children, irrespective of nutritional status.
- This indicates intestinal disease can stimulate sIgA production.
Conclusions:
- Urinary secretory IgA (sIgA) output can be stimulated by intestinal disease.
- Malnourished children can mount an immune response to mucosal infections.
- Findings support the hypothesis of a common secretory immune system.