Overview of Selective IgM Deficiency (SIgMD)
Selective IgM deficiency (SIgMD) is a rare form of dysgammaglobulinemia which was described characterized by an isolated low level of serum immunoglobulin M (IgM). Adults with primary sIgM deficiency are usually associated with autoimmune diseases and malignant neoplasm whereas children may present with severe life-threatening infections. IgM provides the initial response to foreign antigen and plays a regulatory role in the subsequent immune response development, accelerating the production of high-affinity IgG. SIgM deficiency can be asymptomatic or may symptomatically present with infections from encapsulated bacteria and viruses, some of which can be serious and even life-threatening infections varying from pneumonia to septicemia and meningitis.
Fig. 1 Diseases associated with sIgM deficiency. (Caka, 2021)
Treatment of Selective IgM Deficiency
The treatment of patients with IgM deficiency is challenging. Patients who do not have an adequate response to the polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine may benefit from vaccination with the conjugated pneumococcal vaccine. In theory, immunoglobulin replacement would be ideal. However, there is no immunoglobulin product that renders IgM antibodies. Therefore, it is not easy to supplement these patients with immunoglobulin products which mainly provide immunoglobulin of the IgG isotype. Nonetheless, other constituents of the immunoglobulin preparations, such as cytokines and growth factors, may act as adjuvants to the impaired immune system. In previous reports, among five IgM-deficient patients with susceptibility to infections, four with associated specific antibody deficiency, were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. The outcome in all patients was favorable in regard to the frequency and severity of infections. However, no changes in serum IgM were observed, excluding the possibility that cytokines or growth factors in immunoglobulin preparations may somehow help IgM levels.
Services at Creative Biolabs
The importance of selective IgM deficiency has been reported in many pieces of research. Creative Biolabs has rich experience in non-IgG antibodies and has established a comprehensive technology platform offering various non-IgG antibody relevant services including but not limited to:
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Reference
- Caka, C.; et al. Selective IgM deficiency: Follow-up and outcome. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2021, 32(6): 1327-1334.
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