Selective and partial IgA deficiency in an adolescent male with bronchiectasis.

Selective IgA deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency. Two types of selective IgA deficiency may be distinguished: the complete form, with IgA level less than 5 mg/dl, and the partial IgA deficiency, with level greater than 5 mg/dl but less than 2 standard deviations below the age-adjusted mean level; 50% of the cases belong to the partial type and half of them may be considered as transient clinical form. Patterns of this condition, are very unsteady: while some patients remain without any symptoms, others present recurrent respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections.