Immunoglobulin E Deficiency in Ataxia-Telangiectasia

An IgE deficiency was demonstrated in 11 of 16 patients with ataxia-telangiectasia. No relation to age or to the level of IgG, IgM or IgD was found. Nine out of 11 patients with IgE and IgA deficiency had recurrent sinopulmonary infections of varying degrees. The varying times of onset of recurrent sinopulmonary infection may be a function of immunologic attrition. There may be a delay between the loss of IgE or IgA (or both) and the manifestations of this deficiency. Particular vulnerability to sinopulmonary disease in patients with ataxia-telangiectasia attends the lack of both IgA and IgE.