Immunoglobulins in maxillary sinus secretion.

The immunoglobin pattern was studied in maxillary sinus secretion of 17 patients with maxillary sinusitis. By single radial immunodiffusion, measurable amounts of IgM were found in the secretions of 15 patients, and of IgA and IgG in the secretion of all patients. In purulent sinus secretion, IgA levels were significantly lower than in serous secretion. Of the total content of IgA in sinus secretion, 30% (purulent secretion) and 43% (serous secretion) were calculated to be locally produced, on average. For IgG these figures were 15% (purulent secretion) and 18% (serous secretion), whereas IgM could not be estimated by the method used. It was also concluded that the maxillary sinus is a suitable organ for investigation of local immunity in regard to bacterial infections.