IS THERE IGA FROM GUT MUCOSAL ORIGIN IN THE SERUM OF CHILDREN WITH HENOCH-SCHONLEIN PURPURA

Thirty-two children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura with or without rena l symptoms were studied to characterize the IgA hyperglobulinemia obse rved in the serum of most patients. It was shown that only the IgA1 su bclass concentration was increased. Secretory IgA and IgA to gliadin l evels were frequently increased in serum, with a good correlation betw een them. Circulating IgA immune complexes were detected often and con tained high activity to gliadin. In contrast, IgA activity to tetanus toroid did not change. We failed to show any differences in renal invo lvement. These data suggest that elevation of serum IgA in Henoch-Scho nlein purpura is due in part to a disturbance of the gut mucosal immun e system, and the presence of circulating IgA immune complexes with di etary antigens can be postulated but cannot explain the occurrence of urinary symptoms. (C) 1998 Academic Press.