[A case of multiple myeloma showing marked differences in serum IgG levels between protein electrophoresis and turbidimetry]

Korean J Lab Med. 2008 Aug;28(4):282-5. doi: 10.3343/kjlm.2008.28.4.282.
[Article in Korean]

Abstract

We report a case of multiple myeloma showing marked differences in serum Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels between serum protein electrophoresis and turbidimetry. A 47-yr old man was admitted to our hospital due to severe back pain and diagnosed as having IgG-kappa type multiple myeloma. Serum protein level was 14.4 g/dL at the time of diagnosis. Serum IgG level was 8.5 g/dL by serum protein electrophoresis, but 11.6 g/dL by turbidimetry. The patient's clinical conditions had improved after receiving VAD (vincristine, adriamycin, dexamethasone) and VTD (vincristine, thalidomide, dexamethasone) chemotherapy and there were no differences in IgG levels between electrophoresis and turbidimetry when serum IgG levels were less than 3.0 g/dL. According to this, we considered that both protein electrophoresis and turbidimetry should be needed to quantify serum immunoglobulins for diagnosis and follow-up of the patients with monoclonal gammopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Electrophoresis, Agar Gel
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis*
  • Nephelometry and Turbidimetry
  • Paraproteinemias / drug therapy
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains