gammopathy /gam·mop·a·thy/ (gam-op´ah-the) abnormal proliferation of the lymphoid cells producing immunoglobulins; the gammopathies include multiple myeloma, macroglobulinemia, and Hodgkin's disease.
gammopathy
gammopathy
gam·mop·a·thy (g -m p  -th )n. A disturbance in immunoglobulin synthesis. |
gammopathy
[gamop′əthē]
an abnormal condition characterized by the presence of markedly increased levels of gamma globulin in the blood. Two different types of hypergammaglobulinemia can be distinguished. Monoclonal gammopathy is commonly associated with an electrophoretic pattern showing one sharp, homogenous electrophoretic band in the gamma globulin region. This reflects the presence of excessive amounts of one type of immunoglobulin secreted by a single clone of B cells. Polyclonal gammopathy reflects the presence of a diffuse hypergammaglobulinemia in which all immunoglobulin classes are proportionally increased. See also Bence Jones protein, multiple myeloma.
gammopathy
abnormal proliferation of the B lymphocytes resulting in abnormal levels of immunoglobulin production; the gammopathies include multiple myeloma, macroglobulinemia and Hodgkin's disease. Called also gammaglobulinopathy.
monoclonal gammopathy
an increased production of one type of immunoglobulin by a single clone of cells. The abnormal protein produced is called paraprotein or M component and may be composed of whole immunoglobulin molecules or subunits, light-chains (Bence Jones proteins) or heavy-chains. Occurs in myelomas, lymphoproliferative neoplasms, and occasionally chronic inflammatory or immune-mediated diseases. Greatly elevated serum levels of protein may result in a hyperviscosity syndrome.
polyclonal gammopathy
a hypergammaglobulinemia resulting from an increased production of several different immunoglobulins and usually attributable to persistent, high level exposure to antigens; occur in a wide variety of infectious, inflammatory, and immune-mediated diseases. Examples in animals are feline infectious peritonitis, canine ehrlichiosis, Aleutian mink disease and equine infectious anemia.
gammopathy
An abnormal ↑ in immunoglobulin production; monoclonal gammopathies–MGs are usually malignant Examples Myeloma, Waldenström's disease, CLL, heavy-chain disease, but may also be benign, appearing in amyloidosis
and MG of undetermined significance; polyclonal gammopathies are usually benign and appear in inflammatory conditions–eg, angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, cirrhosis, leishmaniasis, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, TB. Note: Polyclonal
gammopathies may occur as epiphenomena in lymphomas, Hodgkin's disease, metastatic adenoCA. See Biclonal gammopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
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