Asian Journal of Immunology

Assessment of Serum Levels of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Class in Patients with COVID-19 and Asthma

Zainab Bolanle Fasasi

Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Issa Abdullahi

Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Adigun Kehinde

Department of Family Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Adekunle Akeem Bakare

Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Ganiyu Olatunbosun Arinola *

Department of Immunology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Abstract

Background: Growing interest in the importance of the mucosal immune system, coupled with an improved understanding of the functional properties of IgA has re-engineered interest in this previously neglected immunoglobulin class. Research into IgA roles and levels might open a novel approach in therapeutic settings and mucosal vaccination. Both COVID-19 and asthma are broncho-mucosal inflammatory diseases. However, the exact role or levels of IgA during the pathogenesis of these diseases is unclear.

Objective: To investigate the levels of IgA as a potential differentiating biomarker of patients with COVID-9 or asthma from controls.

Methodology: Serum IgA levels were measured in 30 patients with bronchial asthma and 30 COVID-19 patients with their 30 corresponding age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The mean value of serum IgA was significantly increased in COVID-19 patients at admission (p=0.001) or COVID-19 patients at discharge (p=0.031) compared with the level in corresponding control. The mean value of serum IgA was similar in COVID-19 patients at admission compared with COVID-19 patients at discharge. The mean values of serum IgA were not significantly higher in COVID-19 patients at admission and COVID-19 patients at discharge compared with asthma patients (p>0.50). The mean value of plasma IgA was significantly decreased (p=0.018) in asthma patients compared with the level in corresponding control.

Conclusions: Serum IgA could be a useful biomarker to differentiate patients with COVID-9 or patients with asthma from un-infected controls.

Keywords: Adaptive immunity, immunoglobulin A class, lung diseases

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