IgA (EP170)

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) plays a critical role in mucosal immunity. It is present in the mucosal secretions such as tears, saliva, colostrum, intestinal juice, vaginal fluid, and secretions from the prostate and respiratory epithelium, and represents a key first line of defense against invasion by inhaled and ingested pathogens at the vulnerable mucosal surfaces. It is also found in small amounts in blood. Because it is resistant to degradation by enzymes, secretory IgA can survive in harsh environments such as the digestive and respiratory tracts, to provide protection against microbes that multiply in body secretions. It is useful when identifying multiple myeloma and plasmacytomas.1-3