Hypogammaglobulinaemia associated to cow’s milk food allergy in children younger than 2 years

LILIANA BEZRODNIK; ANDREA GOMEZ RACCIO; MARIA AMANDA REY; ROMINA CECI; LAURA CANIL; R PAZ; PATRICIA CARABAJAL; ALEJANDRA GINACA; M I GAILLARD; ALBERTO FOSSATI; GUILLERMO DOCENA

Córdoba, Argentina

Congreso; VII Latin Congress of Immunology; 2005

ALAI

Our aim was to demonstrate that hipogammaglobulinemia may be secondary to a cow´milk allergy (cma) during the first childhood. Five patients with similar clinical historywere studied. Parameters measured: IgG, IgA, and IgM (nephelometry), total IgE and antibodies against transglutaminase and tetanus toxoid (ELISA), specific IgE (EAST), antibodies to endomysium (IFI), α1 anti-trysin clearance (radial immunodifusion). Skin test (SPT) and cell subsets were analised (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD56 by flow cytometry). 4/5 patients showed chronic diarrhea with bronchiolar signs, 1/5 showed a severe eczema. Four hypogammaglobulinemia (low IgG and IgA), and one deficit of immunoglobulins (low IgG, IgM and IgA) were found. Total IgE was higher than normal and CM specific IgE were positive. Prick test was positive in 3 cases. Celiac disease was ruled out, functional antibodies were positive and the cell subsets were normal. A primary immunodeficiency was discarded and CMA was diagnosed. A good clinical response was achieved immediately after suppression of CM. Serum antibody levels returned to normal values. In conclusion a loss of antibodies was likely taking place trough the skin and gut as a concequence of the CMA.