[Relationship between secretory IgA in pancreatic secretions, in pancreatic tissue, and in the serum of patients with chronic pancreatitis].

In five patients with chronic pancreatitis we found secretory IgA (sIgA) in the pancreatic juice. In four control persons this was seen only in one case. In pancreatic tissue of three patients with chronic pancreatitis we detected both, IgA and secretory component by immunohistology. We suggest that sIgA in the pancreatic juice was partly produced in the pancreas.