Gammopathies, Polyclonal

Monoclonal (Possible Polyclonal) Gammopathy Beta Gamma Bridge (Broad Gamma) Active Cirrhosis... 

Wl. Waldenstrom, J. G., Monoclonal and polyclonal gammopathies and the biologic system of gammaglobulins. Progr. Allergy 6, 320-348 (1962). 

Polyclonal gammopathy A diffuse polyclonal increase in y-globulin, primarily in the IgG fraction (Figure Vl-If). Recall that in chronic stress y-globulins are elevated. The major causes of polyclonal gammopathy are listed below. 

A polyclonal gammopathy is a secondary disease state caused by disorders such as liver disease, collagen disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic infection. It is characterized by the elevation of two or more (often all) immunoglobulins by several clones of plasma cells. Polyclonal increases are usually twice normal levels. 

Diseases in which the 7-globulin fraction of the serum proteins shows a diffuse increase on electrophoresis due to the greater than normal production of many types of immunoglobulin molecules i,cf a monoclonal gammopathy when only one class and type of immunoglobulin is produced and this is seen as an extra band on serum protein electrophoresis). Chronic infections, liver cirrhosis and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis are examples of polyclonal gammo-pathies. 

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