COEXISTENT IGG2 AND IGA DEFICIENCIES IN BLOOD-DONORS

Background: To meet the transfusion requirements of IgA-deficient pati ents with anti-IgA, blood services screen random donors to identify po tential donors of IgA-deficient blood components. New information reve als that some IgA-deficient persons may also be deficient in IgG2 and may be at increased risk for bacterial infections. Study Design and Me thods: Serum samples from IgA-deficient blood donors and patients were tested for IgG2 concentration by radial immunodiffusion using monospe cific anti-IgG2. Results: four (9.0%) of 44 IgA-deficient blood donors and 14 (31.5%) of 44 IgA-deficient patients had coexistent IgG2 and I gA deficiencies. Follow-up interviews with the 4 donors who had coexis tent IgG2 and IgA deficiencies revealed that 3 had recurrent respirato ry infections and had been hospitalized at least once for pneumonia. T he fourth donor did not report a history suggestive of recurrent infec tions. Conclusion: Some blood donors, recruited specifically because t hey are IgA deficient, may also be deficient in IgG2. Persons identifi ed by donor screening programs as being IgA deficient should be tested for IgG2. If deficient in IgG2, they should be evaluated for a histor y of recurrent bacterial infections and counseled accordingly.