<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Patients with selective IGA deficiency are not able to produce this antibody. Doctors have reported 1 out of 13 patients with CD have selective IGA deficiency. 2% of patients have sprue-like disease. IGA protects mucosal surfaces from infection. All antibodies protect the bloodstream, body tissues, and intenal organs from in-fection. In the presence of this deficiency, people suffer more from ear infections, sinusitis, pneumonia (more than once a yr) cramping, malabsorption, leaky gut, causing diarrhea. It can be inherited in people from eastern European countries but not necessarily. Just like celiac disease is supposed to be inherited in northen European countries, that is not always the case. Causes are unknown in the majority of IGA deficiency and differs from patient to patient. It is the most common of the immunodeficiency diseases and most people do not have significant illness. It is not to be mistaken for AIDS. Hope this helps out to understand what it is and is not. Rosalie NJ USA Miracles Do Happen!