Acta Neurol. Scandinav. 54, 423-430, 1976
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University o f Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
CHANGES IN SERUM IMPvlUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS DURING PHENYTOIN TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY
JOHAN A. AARLI ABSTRACT Immunoglobulin concentrations were detcrmined hy radial immunodiffusion i n sera from 15 epileptic patients before and during phenytoin therapy. Three reaction patterns were recorded : Two patients developed IgA deficiency ( < 0.05 mg/ml) during the first 3-4 months of treatment. Both patients also had a decrease i n serum IgG and IgbI, b u t no significant fall o r increase i n serum IgE. The IgA deficiency state was apparently reversible, since normalization of serum levels occurred after withdrawal of phenytoin. Five patients developed a 35-80 per cent reduction in serum IgA. I n these patients, t h e decIine i n serum levels of IgG a n d IgM w a s inconsistent. Eight patients showed no significant fluctuations i n serum immunoglobulins during phenytoin trcatment. When a fall i n serum IgA occurred, it did not correspond to a fall in serum o r in red cell folate. Mean serum IgG was lower (9.37 mg/ml) in epileptic patients who had taken phenytoin for 1 year and had a low IgA, t h a n i n patients who had taken phenytoin for 1 0 years o r more (11.50 mg/ml).
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University o f Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
CHANGES IN SERUM IMPvlUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS DURING PHENYTOIN TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY
JOHAN A. AARLI ABSTRACT Immunoglobulin concentrations were detcrmined hy radial immunodiffusion i n sera from 15 epileptic patients before and during phenytoin therapy. Three reaction patterns were recorded : Two patients developed IgA deficiency ( < 0.05 mg/ml) during the first 3-4 months of treatment. Both patients also had a decrease i n serum IgG and IgbI, b u t no significant fall o r increase i n serum IgE. The IgA deficiency state was apparently reversible, since normalization of serum levels occurred after withdrawal of phenytoin. Five patients developed a 35-80 per cent reduction in serum IgA. I n these patients, t h e decIine i n serum levels of IgG a n d IgM w a s inconsistent. Eight patients showed no significant fluctuations i n serum immunoglobulins during phenytoin trcatment. When a fall i n serum IgA occurred, it did not correspond to a fall in serum o r in red cell folate. Mean serum IgG was lower (9.37 mg/ml) in epileptic patients who had taken phenytoin for 1 year and had a low IgA, t h a n i n patients who had taken phenytoin for 1 0 years o r more (11.50 mg/ml).
