Small fibre involvement in neuropathy associated with IgG, IgA and IgM monoclonal gammopathy

Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1995 Jan-Feb;35(1):39-44.

Abstract

A delta and C fibre function has been investigated in 18 patients affected by neuropathies associated with monoclonal gammopathies. Warm, cold and heat pain thresholds have been determined by means of a Somedic Thermotest, operating on the Peltier principle, in a room at constant temperature. Our results indicate that: 1) there is an involvement of A delta and C fibres in these neuropathies that might be difficult to quantitate only on clinical grounds 2) in IgG and IgA patients, all affected by a subclinical or mild axonal neuropathy, small fibres of both types are always involved 3) in IgM anti-MAG positive severe cases, A delta fibre involvement, suggestive of demyelination is evident, while in one anti-MAG negative patient only C fibres are damaged, probably reflecting a different pathogenetic mechanism.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Fibers / physiology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / immunology
  • Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Paraproteinemias / complications
  • Paraproteinemias / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M