Local immunodeficiency of the intestinal mucosa--a contribution to etiopathogenesis of recurrent urticaria and diarrhoea.

The case of a 10 month-old girl with a history of recurrent urticaria and diarrhoea is presented. Immunological study was carried out and secretory component in sputum, duodenal juice and stool was not found, while IgA was detected. Peroral biopsy of intestinum was also carried out and histology revealed partial villous atrophy. Immunofluorescent staining showed only a few IgA and IgG producing cells scattered within the villous stroma, while the IgM producing cells were increased in number. Serum concentration of IgA, IgM and particularly IgG was increased. Both parents had measurable IgA in the serum, however, the secretory component was not detectable neither in mother nor in father. The deficiency of secretory component and deficiency of IgA producing cells in the jejunal villous stroma led to local immunodeficiency of the intestinal mucosa and that caused recurrent urticaria and diarrhoea in the girl presented.