Antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE)

Looks like

Y-shaped proteins made by plasma cells, too small to see; IgG is most plentiful in blood, IgA in secretions, IgM appears first, IgE in allergies.

What it does

Stick to germs and toxins, marking them for destruction and neutralising them.

Keeping it well

Some people do not make enough and have recurring chest and sinus infections. Antibodies against one's own tissues cause autoimmune disease.

Related conditions

• Allergy & anaphylaxis
• HIV infection
• Neonatal sepsis
• Neutropenic sepsis
• Primary immunodeficiency
• Sepsis
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Transplant rejection & graft-versus-host disease