Kinetic changes of IgA levels in intestinal tract in burned patients

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the damage of intestinal barrier and gut-derived sepsis,and the possibility of IgA levels in reflecting intestinal barrier damage in clinic.Methods:The IgA level in intestinal tract of thirteen burned patients （average 61.2% TBSA, Ⅲ° 29.4%） was measured.Results:It was foung that IgA levels in intestinal content tended to decrease in all patients after major burns. However, increases of IgA in patients with more than 70% TBSA in first week and second week afterburns and significant declines in patients with less than 70% TBSA in first and third week after injury were observed.Conclusion:The results indicated that the intestinal barrier was damaged after burns. The increase of IgA level in intestinal tract in the early stage after burns may be related to severe stress to patients or serious wound infection and other complications. On the other hand, the assay of IgA level in intestinal content is simple and easy, suggesting that IgA may be an useful parameter to reflect the intestinal barrier damage in burned patient.