IgA autoantibodies have been reported as the mediator for several diseases including IgA nephropathy (elevated IgA levels), rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease and various IgA‐associated skin diseases reviewed by Heineke and van Egmond.44In many of these cases, elevated IgA levels coincide with increased IgA autoantibodies, resulting in high levels of inflammation including excessive activation of neutrophils. This evidence concerns the gene CD79A and rheumatoid arthritis.