Serum immunoglobulins in calcific pancreatitis.

Serum immunoglobulin concentrations were measured in 40 patients with calcific pancreatitis. A significant elevation of the mean serum IgA and IgG concentration when compared with a control group was found. The IgA was raised in 50% and the IgG in 27.5% when the individual results were assessed. The IgA did not appear to be of the secretory type. The possible significance of the raised IgA and IgG is discussed with reference to local pancreatic IgA production, autoimmune factors in chronic pancreatitis, and the ductal protein plugs in this disease.