Abstract

The influence of moderate malnutrition on immunoglobulins and enzymes in the sera and secretions of 71 Colombian children was studied. Concentrations of immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, lysozyme, albumin, and aminopeptidase were measured in the sera, tears, and saliva of 27 normal, 32 grade I, 9 grade II, and 3 grade III malnourished children. The most severely malnourished children, grades II and III, had markedly reduced immunoglobulin A concentrations and elevated immunoglobulin G concentrations in tears. Immunoglobulin A levels in whole saliva were also reduced in these malnourished children. In contrast, the concentration of immunoglobulin A in the sera of these children was significantly elevated. There was no influence of malnutrition on levels of lysozyme, albumin, total protein, and aminopeptidase in tears or saliva. These results indicate that secretory immunity may be impaired in moderately malnourished children due to decreased levels of immunoglobulin A in secretions.