Immunoglobulins profile of measles

Immunoglobulins profile was carried out in 60 cases of measles (30 each with and without complications) and 30 age and sex matched controls. Antibody titres and immunoglobulins levels (IgG, IgM and IgA) were determined by hemagglutination inhibition and single radial immunodiffusion techniques, respectively. Though higher IgG and IgM levels were found in complicated cases compared to controls, more importantly lower IgA levels were seen in these cases. As most of the measles complications are secondary bacterial infections of mucosal surfaces, it is postulated that these patients might have been selected for a relatively severe form of the disease due to either a pre-existing or induced IgA deficiency.