Serum immunoglobulin levels in healthy adults of various ethnic groups in a rural family practice in Israel.

A study on the immunoglobulin levels of five ethnic groups in a rural population in Israel was carried out. The ethnic group comprised Yemenite, Cochin, Kurd, North African, and Ashkenazi Jews. Yemenites have a low level of IgA, Ashkenazis have a high IgM level, Cochins and North Africans have high levels of IgG and IgA, and Kurds show low IgM levels. Females have higher IgM levels than males. No positive correlation between immunoglobulin levels and age could be demonstrated. A connection between these levels and exogenous and endogenous factors in the various ethnic groups is discussed.