Concentrations of serum immunoglobulins and antibodies to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides in patients with recurrent or chronic sinusitis.

A study was carried out to search for underlying immunoglobulin deficiencies in 25 patients with recurrent or chronic sinusitis. The mean duration of the patient histories of recurrent or chronic sinusitis was 7.2 years. Concentrations of serum immunoglobulins and specific pneumococcal antibodies were measured in the patients and in 25 age- and sex-matched control individuals. The mean serum IgA concentration (1.6 g/L) was lower in the patients than in the control individuals (2.1 g/L, p = .024). On the other hand, the mean serum concentration of IgG antibodies to pneumococcal type 14 polysaccharide was higher in the patients (2.54 microg/mL) than in the control individuals (0.92 microg/mL, p = .008). However, elevated concentrations of IgG antibodies to pneumococcal type 14 polysaccharide were detected mainly in patients with the highest serum IgA concentrations. The results suggest that in a subpopulation of patients with a long-lasting history of sinusitis, a low serum IgA concentration may be associated with a susceptibility to sinusitis.