Serum levels of IgA in peptic ulcers

A study of the IgA levels in 43 duodenal ulcer (DU) patients and 8 gastric ulcer (GU) patients and their comparison with healthy controls reveals significantly elevated levels of IgA in DU and somewhat lower levels in GU. The levels were also associated with the genotypes of the patients for genetic markers such as ABO blood group, ABH sectetor status, haptoglobin, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme. Nutritional factors, such as vegetarianism, chili consumption, and habits such as smoking and alcoholism also showed variation in the IgA levels. These results indicate the response and role of IgA in the immunological mechanisms involving mucosal protection and autoimmunity in ulceration processes in the stomach.