A 45-year-old man with elevated levels of immunoglobulin A.

Quantitative immunoglobulin tests are often ordered as part of the initial evaluation for suspected immune deficiency. Although alterations in immunoglobulin levels can explain recurrent infections, in a patient without symptoms, there are a variety of other factors that can alter immunoglobulin levels. Common causes for elevated immunoglobulin A levels include malignancy and hepatic impairment in addition to a variety of infiltrative, infectious, and inflammatory diseases.

Transient hypogammaglobulinemia and severe atopic dermatitis: Open-label treatment with immunoglobulin in a case series.

Background: We reported on six infants between 5 and 11 months old, with transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy and severe refractory atopic dermatitis, who were treated with open-label immunoglobulin (Ig) after conventional therapy failed. All six infants had an IgG level of <225 mg/dL, elevated eosinophil and IgE levels, and no urine or stool protein losses, but they did exhibit hypoalbuminemia.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of open-label immunoglobulin in infants with severe atopic dermatitis for whom conventional therapy failed.