Medical Diagnosis Exams

Immunoglobulins protect the human body against invading organisms and agents. As a normal result of infections all immunoglobulin classes increase in serum.

Raised IgA levels are found in skin, gut, respiratory, and renal infections. Raised IgM levels are found during liver cell diseases, (e.g. hepatitis, liver cirrhosis), autoimmune diseases, and especially during acute and chronic viral infections. Raised IgG levels are found during autoimmune diseases and chronic hepatitis Malignant cell proliferation of an immunoglobulin producing cell (plasma cell) causes an increased serum level of a single immunoglobulin (plasmocytoma).

Immunoglobulin deficiencies may be due to protein loss syndromes, inherited deficiencies or may be secondary to lymphoid malignancies. Due to the slow onset of immunoglobulins synthesis, the immunoglobulins concentration in serum of infants is lower than in adults.