Immunodeficiency in epilepsy: a new view.

Up to 12% of epileptic patients have subnormal IgA serum concentrations. Previous observations suggest that IgA deficiency is correlated with hydantoin treatment and also with the type of seizure. In a followup study it is shown that IgA deficiency in epileptics is a rather constant feature of a given patient. The most pronounced changes in IgA levels were seen in patients in whom the hydantoin medication also changed. However, low IgA levels have also been reported in untreated epileptics. A new classification for the immunodeficiency state in epileptics is introduced.