The Immunoglobulin Concentrations in Serum and Bowel Secretion in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

Bergman, L., Johansson, S. G. O. & Krause, U. 1973. The Immunoglobulin Concentrations in Serum and Bowel Secretion in Patients with Crohn’s Disease. Scand. J. Gastroent. 8, 401-406.

In 55 patients with Crohn’s disease in different stages of activity and with or without corticosteroid treatment we have measured the concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE. The concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM were of the same levels as in a control material of healthy persons, and there was no difference due to the stage of activity of the disease or treatment with corticosteroids or not. In three patients with active Crohn’s disease there was a total lack of IgA. The expected number in a normal population is about 0. 2 %. The IgE concentrations, not earlier studied in Crohn’s disease, were lower compared with that of the normal population. The difference was not, however, statistically significant. In order to investigate whether there is any difference of the immunoglobulin concentration in venous and arterial blood from a segment of the bowel involved with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, we have measured the immunoglobulins in venous and arterial blood from such segments in 19 patients. We did not find any difference. We have also looked for a difference in the albumin and the immunoglobulin concentrations of the bowel secretion from an inflammatory and a normal segment of the bowel in patients with Crohn’s disease. We found a raised albumin concentration and a raised IgG/albumin ratio in the secretion from diseased bowel compared to normal bowel. The IgA and IgE ratios were, however, normal.

Key-words::

• Crohn’s disease
• inflammatory bowel disease