Immunoglobulin A concentrations in commercial immune globulins.

Commercial immune globulins contain varying concentrations of IgA as a minor constituent. For patients who are both IgA deficient and IgA hypersensitive, the administration of most immune globulins is contraindicated due to potentially lethal anaphylactic reactions. We have measured the IgA levels in a broad range of commercial immune globulin preparations by means of a competitive-binding solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Of the products tested, all immune globulins intended for intramuscular administration and most immune globulins for intravenous use had IgA levels of over 150 micrograms/ml. Only two of the intravenous products had IgA concentrations in the range of 10 micrograms/ml or less.