Immunofluorescent study of gastric mucosa in myxoedema: a possible role for immunoglobulin-A

ABSTRACT

This study included twenty patients with myxoedema and ten controls, for which gastric biopsies were taken by fiberoptic endscopy. Histopathologic examination revealed the presence of chronic gastritis [55%] and atrophic gastritis [45%] in myxoedema patients. Gastric mucosal immunity was studied by use of immuno-fluorescence technique, which showed an increase of deposition of IgA in the basement membrane of gastric glands as well as the wall of blood vessels in patients. Also, IgG deposites were significantly more in patients as compared to controls [p <0.01]. These findings suggest a possible important role for IgA in the pathogenesis of chronic autoimmune gastritis