IgA deposition in alcoholic liver disease.

Immunoglobulin deposition in alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease was studied using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. A continuous pattern of IgA deposition, with IgA outlining the sinusoids, was shown to be a specific and sensitive marker for liver disease caused by alcohol in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic livers. The sensitivity was lowest in cases of alcoholic disease showing fatty change alone. In one case it was possible to show the absence of IgA in liver disease caused by a drug, which was histologically indistinguishable from alcoholic hepatitis.