Summary
Up to 12% of epileptic patients have subnormal IgA serum concentrations. Previous observations suggest that IgA deficiency is correlated with hydantoin treatment and also with the type of seizure. In a followup study it is shown that IgA deficiency in epileptics is a rather constant feature of a given patient. The most pronounced changes in IgA levels were seen in patients in whom the hydantoin medication also changed. However, low IgA levels have also been reported in untreated epileptics. A new classification for the immunodeficiency state in epileptics is introduced.
Zusammenfassung
Bei 12% der Patienten mit Anfalleiden wurden verminderte Serum-IgA-Konzentrationen festgestellt. Die Entstehung des IgA-Mangels hängt von der Hydantointherapie sowie von anfallauslösenden Faktoren ab. Die Verfolgung der individuellen IgA-Serumkonzentrationen über 11/2 bis 2 Jahre zeigt nun, daß bei den einzelnen Patienten der IgA-Mangel ein konstantes Merkmal ist. Markante Änderungen der IgA-Werte wurden nach Einsetzen oder Absetzen der Hydantoinmedikation festgestellt. Allerdings sind IgA-Mangelzustände auch bei unbehandelten Anfallkranken nachgewiesen worden. Eine neue Einteilung des Immundefektes bei Anfallkranken wird vorgeschlagen.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Aarli, J. A.: Changes in serum immunoglobulin levels during phenytoin treatment of epilepsy. Lancet 1976 I, 423–430
Ariizumi, M., Matsuda, H., Osawa, A., Shihara, H., Baba, K.: Serum IgA levels in childhood epilepsy. Excerpta Med. 427, 63 (1977)
Buckley, R.: Clinical and immunologic features of selective IgA deficiency. Birth Defects orig. Art. Ser. 11, 134–142 (1975)
Fontana, A., Grob, P. J., Sauter, P., Joller, H.: IgA deficiency, epilepsy, and hydantoin medication. Lancet 1976 I, 228–231
Fontana, A., Grob, P. J., Sauter, R.: Immunoglobulin abnormalities in relatives of IgA deficient epileptics. J. Neurol. 217, 207–212 (1978)
Fontana, A., Joller, H., Skvaril, F., Grob, P. J.: Immunological abnormalities and HLA antigen frequencies in IgA deficient patients with epilepsy. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat. 41, 593–597 (1978)
Fontana, A., Fulpius, B. W., Cuénoud, S.: Antibodies against muscle and brain nicotine acetylcholine receptors in epileptics with IgA deficiency. Schweiz. med. Wschr. 108, 1307–1310 (1978)
Horowitz, S., Hong, R.: Selective IgA deficiency—some perspectives. Birth Defects orig. Art. Ser. 11, 129–133 (1975)
Seager, J., Wilson, J., Jamieson, D. L., Hayward, A. R., Soothill, J. F.: IgA deficiency, epilepsy and phenytoin treatment. Lancet 1975 II, 632–635
Stanworth, D. R., Shadforth, M., Thompson, R.: Drug-induced IgA deficiency in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1977 I, 1001–1002
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fontana, A., Grob, P.J. Immunodeficiency in epilepsy: a new view. J. Neurol. 220, 297–301 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314154
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314154