RESUMO
A study has been made of macroglobulins in the sera of Jamaicans who attended the University Hospital of the West Indies during the years 1963 to 1965. Detailed chemical analyses have been made with a view of defining which macroglobulins were present. The introduction is devoted to a review of past literature on macroglobulins studied elsewhere and the purpose of the present study. This is followed by a detailed description of materials and methods, results obtained and the conclusion. The methods used fall into two categories:- (1) Screening test such as the Sia test, hydrophoresis, zinc sulphate turbidity, paper, cellulose acetate, starch gel electrophoresis and relative viscosity which indicate the presence of macroglobulins; (2) Specific tests such as ultracentrifugation and immunoelectrophoresis which yield detailed and significant facts relevant to the macroglobulin under study. Ultracentrifugation analysis of ten sera revealed:- (1) A case of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia in which the S19 fraction constituted 38.6 of the total protein; (2) A case of secondary macroglobulinemia in liver cirrhosis in which the S19 fraction constituted 8.3 of the total protein; (3) Eight cases with a marked increase of teh 7S gamma globulin found in liver diseases, multiple myeloma. infections, skin diseases and neuropathy; (4) Six cases showing a typical macroglobulins found in Waldenstrom's macroblobulinemia, liver disease, multiple myeloma, collagen and skin diseases. Immunoelectrophoresis revealed:- (1) A marked increase of the IgM (B2M) level in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a significant increase in secondary or symptomatic macroglobulinemia associated with myeloid leukemia, collagen, liver, skin diseases and a slight increase in diabetes, lymphosarcoma, kidney and chronic chest diseases; (2) A marked increase of alpha2 macroglobulin in nephrotic syndrome and chronic nephritis. Slight increases were found in diabetes, skin diseases, multiple myeloma, lymphosarcoma and collagen diseases; (3) A marked increase of 7S gamma globulin in infections, liver and skin disease. Slight increases were found in myeloid leukemia, lymphosarcoma, innominate aneurysm with gangrene, multiple myeloma, collagen diseases and diabetes (AU)
