Absence of antilactoglobulin anti­bodies in the idiopathic pulmonar hemosiderosis

Abstract

The idiopathic pulmonar hemosiderosis (IPH) has an unknown etiopathogenesis. Nevertheless, it has been reported that some cases have precipitins against cow’s milk, and they could play some role in the outbreak of the crisis. It has been investigated seric antilactoglobulin antibodies in 9 sera from 5 patients with IPH. All sera were taken during an acute crisis. The enzymoimmunoassay method was utilized and it was also evaluated the antibody type (IgG, A, M and antibodies contain­ing secretory place). Only were found increased levels of antilactoglobulin antibodies in 3 out 34 determinations. Nervertheless, one patient had rised antibodies against gliadin of 3 different types. The authors think that the increased of lactoglobulin antibodies is much more unfrequent finding than it was suggested from some reports. The possible association between IPH and celiac disease is discussed.