Acute hyperviscosity: syndromes and management.

Plasma hyperviscosity is a rare complication of both monoclonal and polyclonal disorders associated with elevation of immunoglobulins. Asymptomatic patients with an elevation in the serum viscosity do not require plasma exchange, and the majority will have other indications for therapeutic intervention. For patients with hemorrhagic or central nervous system manifestations, plasma exchange is the therapy of choice and is relatively safe. Viscosity measurements are not required to initiate therapy if the index of suspicion is high and the clinical presentation is typical. However, patients should have a sample sent for confirmation of the diagnosis. Whole-blood hyperviscosity is seen in patients with extreme elevation of the red cell and white cell count. Phlebotomy of patients with primary and secondary elevation of the red cell count is a well-established therapy.

Confirmed Cryoglobulinemia and Hyperviscosity Syndrome Secondary to Multiple Myeloma-IgA Kappa from Routine Blood Test: a Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Cryoglobulins and hyperviscosity syndrome (HS) sometimes occur in multiple myeloma (MM), which are considered clinical emergencies. In laboratory practice, aspiration failure in routine blood tests sometimes occurs when the sample is inadequate. Here, a case of cryoglobulinemia and HS associated with advanced multiple myeloma was reported, which unusually is initially confirmed by aspiration failure in a routine blood test with sufficient sample. METHODS: A case of a 48-year-old female whose diagnosis of cryoglobulinemia and hyperviscosity syndrome secondary to MM-IgA kappa was confirmed from routine blood test. RESULTS: The sufficient sample for routine blood test could not be analyzed in a hematology analyzer due to aspiration failure, which was found to be caused by high viscosity and poor liquidity. A peripheral blood smear showed numerous non-cellular clouds, erythrocyte rouleaux formation, and plasma cell infiltration. After a water bath, the non-cellular clouds evidently disappeared, and the routine blood test was successfully conducted. Centrifugation of the sample for biochemical test, which had previously failed, was also possible. The case was confirmed as complications of cryoglobulinemia and HS associated with advanced MM, and the non-cellular clouds were identified as cryoglobulins. CONCLUSIONS: This case report provides an effective way for clinicians to deal with this kind of abnormal sample and limited but important laboratory evidence to establish early diagnosis of cryoglobulinemia and HS secondary to MM.

Serum immunoglobulin G4 in Sjögren's syndrome: a pilot study.

Immunoglobulin IgG4 plays a role in the pathogenesis of the Mikulicz disease previously considered a form of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). We investigated serum levels of IgG4, total IgG, C3, and C4 serum complementary components in patients suspected of Sjögren's syndrome. Basic laboratory and immunological tests, including IgG4 and IgG concentration, were performed on 20 healthy and 68 suspected of pSS individuals. We distinguished: group I: 48 pSS patients; group II (sicca): 20 patients with dryness without pSS. We revealed: statistical differences between groups I and II concerning hypergammaglobulinemia, ESR, RF, ANA, Ro, and La antibodies; lower IgG4 levels and IgG4/IgG ratio in group I compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.0435; 0.0035, respectively); no significant differences in the concentrations of IgG4 and IgG4/IgG ratio between sicca and control groups. significantly lower (p < 0.0002) C4 levels in group I compared to other groups; significant differences in C4 concentration and IgG4/IgG ratio between three groups (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0090, respectively); a weak negative correlation between C4 and IgG (r =- 0.274) in the whole database; weak positive correlation between C4 and IgG4/IgG ratio (r = 0.237); a negative correlation of IgG4, IgG4/Ig ratio and C4 with focus score (r = - 0.281; r = - 0.327; r = - 0.406, respectively). IgG4 serum levels were significantly decreased compared to healthy subjects. IgG4 and C4 levels correlated with infiltrations in minor salivary glands. Hypergammaglobulinemia and decreased serum C4 component levels are typical for pSS.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm as an IgG4-related disease.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate patients with aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) with regard to immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease (IgG4-RD). IgG4-RD represents a recently defined condition comprised of a collection of disorders characterized by IgG4 hypergammaglobulinemia, the presence of IgG4-positive plasma cells in organs affected with fibrotic or sclerotizing changes and typical histopathological features. It was identified as a possible cause of vasculitis in large vessels. Studies have been published on a possible association between inflammatory aortic or cardiovascular disease and IgG4-RD. We examined 114 patients with AAA requiring surgery in order to identify findings which are characteristic of IgG4-RD. Aneurysm samples from seven patients showed histopathological features consistent with IgG4-RD and the presence of IgG4+ plasma cells. Only two of these seven patients showed elevated IgG4 serum levels higher 1·35 g/l. In five of the patients, the concentration of serum IgG4 was lower than 1·20 g/l, with the number of IgG4+ plasma cells being higher than 50/high-power field. These findings were consistent with AAA being a heterogeneous group of inflammatory diseases with different pathogenesis.

An Extremely High IgA Value in a Young Child.

BACKGROUND: Hyper-IgA is not a rare finding in children although its causes are less reported than hypergamma-globulinemia in other classes of immunoglobulin. However, an isolated hyper-IgA might play a role as a diagnostic marker, in particular in children with an incomplete clinical picture at disease onset. RESULTS: We reported the case of a 3-year-old girl hospitalized for acute abdominal symptoms and suspicion of ruptured appendicitis. She presented severe inflammatory syndrome and her medical history related recurrent fever episodes. Serum immunoglobulin analysis was not in favor of an infection; indeed, IgA concentration alone increased and reached a surprising extremely high value in a young child (17-fold of the upper reference value). CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the potential clinical significance of an isolated hyper-IgA that is known to be mostly found in serious diseases in children; it might contribute to reduce the delay in diagnosis and treatment of hyperimmunoglobulinemia D syndrome, an autoinflammatory disease.

HYPERGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA AND MYELOMA IN FIVE TIGERS (PANTHERA TIGRIS): CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS.

Five adult tigers (Panthera tigris) presented with a range of clinical signs, including paresis (2/5), lameness (2/5), ataxia (3/5), anorexia (5/5), and lethargy (5/5). Each tiger demonstrated elevated plasma globulin levels (7.8-14.8 g/dl; [reference interval 2-5.1 g/dl]) on routine biochemistry, confirmed as a monoclonal gammopathy using protein electrophoresis. Serum gammaglobulin concentration ranged from 5 to 7.5 g/dl, or 45.1-63.4% of total protein concentration. Azotemia was present in three tigers. Diagnostics and management varied with the presenting signs but included magnetic resonance imaging, radiography, chemotherapy, supportive care, and euthanasia. In each case, necropsy revealed a neoplastic plasma cell proliferation in the bone marrow and one or more extramedullary sites. Lytic lesions in the thoraco-lumbar spine were found in three animals, and one lesion was associated with spinal cord compression. Splenomegaly was present in 4/5 cases. Histopathology confirmed a plasma cell neoplasm in each case, and immunohistochemistry staining with multiple myeloma oncogene 1 (MUM1) was positive in each case. CD20 staining was performed in two cases and was positive in one. CD3 staining was performed in the same two cases, and was negative in each. Based on the clinical, gross, microscopic, and immunohistochemical findings, myeloma was diagnosed in all five tigers.

Serum Levels of IL-33 and Correlation with IL-4, IL-17A, and Hypergammaglobulinemia in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis.

This study investigated the role of IL-33 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The levels of IL-33/sST2 and Th1/Th2/Th17-type cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples obtained from 30 AIH patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs). In addition, a murine model of experimental AIH (EAIH) was established to investigate the role of IL-33 in disease progression. The serum levels of IL-33, sST2, Th17 cytokines (IL-17A), Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α), and Th2 cytokines (IL-4) were significantly elevated in AIH patients compared to HCs. Following immunosuppression therapy, serum levels of IL-33 and sST2 were significantly decreased. Additionally, the serum levels of IL-33 in AIH patients were correlated positively with markers of hypergammaglobulinemia (IgG, IgM, and IgA) and liver injury (γ-GT/ALP). Also, the serum levels of IL-33 in AIH patients were correlated positively with proinflammatory cytokine levels (IL-17A and IL-4). Interestingly, treatment of EAIH mice with a specific IL-33 neutralizing antibody significantly reversed the increasing trend in serum ALT/AST and inhibited the production of the type 2 (IL-4) and type 17 cytokines (IL-17) but not the type 1 cytokine (IFN-γ). Our findings highlight the possible role of the IL-33/sST2 axis in the progression of AIH, opening a new door for developing a novel therapeutic strategy for AIH.

A 45-year-old man with elevated levels of immunoglobulin A.

Quantitative immunoglobulin tests are often ordered as part of the initial evaluation for suspected immune deficiency. Although alterations in immunoglobulin levels can explain recurrent infections, in a patient without symptoms, there are a variety of other factors that can alter immunoglobulin levels. Common causes for elevated immunoglobulin A levels include malignancy and hepatic impairment in addition to a variety of infiltrative, infectious, and inflammatory diseases. We present a case of a 45-year-old man with a history of recurrent sinopulmonary symptoms without bacterial infection found to have an isolated elevated level of immunoglobulin A.

Efficacy and safety of omalizumab in pediatric patients with high immunoglobulin E levels: A case series.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of omalizumab has been demonstrated in children as young as 6 years of age. Omalizumab is currently approved for a range of immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels that differ by age. In patients with IgE levels higher than the indicated therapeutic window, only a few studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of its use. Specifically, no reported studies exist to describe the use of omalizumab in pediatric patients with asthma ages <12 years and with high IgE levels. OBJECTIVE: We reported a series of pediatric patients who were initiated on omalizumab despite an IgE level higher than the age-indicated therapeutic windows and aimed to describe whether omalizumab was safe and improved asthma outcomes. METHODS: Patients who initiated omalizumab in our pediatric allergy clinic between January 2008 and December 2015, with serum IgE levels higher than the age-indicated therapeutic ranges were included. Patient charts were reviewed to determine the number of asthma-related events in the 12 months before and after initiation of omalizumab and the Asthma Control Test™ scores at the time of initiation and at 12 months of therapy. RESULTS: Eleven patients were identified with pretreatment IgE levels higher than the age-approved thresholds. Five patients were ages <12 years, and six patients were ages >12 years. For all but one patient, the maximum recommended dose of 375 mg every 2 weeks was effective in reducing the need for corticosteroids, emergency department visits, or hospitalizations in the year after initiation of therapy. During the period of therapy, there were no reports of severe reactions. CONCLUSION: Despite a small study group, our results indicated that omalizumab may be safely used in pediatric patients with IgE levels higher than the indicated therapeutic windows.

Immunoglobulinopathies in patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

AIM: The aim of the study was to characterize quantitative and qualitative immunoglobulinopathies in patients with AITL at the onset of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 55 patients with newly diagnosed AITL were enrolled in the study, the male/female ratio was 30/25; median age was 61 (29-81) years. Diagnosis was based on standard WHO criteria. Immunochemical studies of blood serum included serum protein electrophoresis/immunofixation, nephelometric quantification of total immunoglobulins, serum free light chain assay. RESULTS: Quantitative and qualitative immunoglobulinopathies were determined in 49 (89,1%) of 55 pts. Quantitative immunoglobulinopathies were revealed in 47 (85.5%) of 55 cases, qualitative - in 14 (25,5%). Combination quantitative and qualitative immunoglobulinopathies was observed in 12 (21,8%) of 55 pts. The detected immunoglobulinopathies were divided into 4 groups: polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia, hypogammaglobulinaemia, oligoclonal gammapathy, and monoclonal gammapathy. Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia was marked in 41 (74.5%) of 55 pts, elevated level of IgG was determined in 27 (49,15%) of 55 cases, IgM - in 18 (32,7%) and IgA - in 21 (38.2%). Interestingly, polyclonal IgE hypergammaglobulinaemia was detected in 12 (48,0%) of 25 cases of performed studies. Hypogammaglobulinaemia was detected in 8 (14,5%) of 55 cases. Oligoclonal gammapathy was determined in 4 (7.3%) of 55 pts. Monoclonal gammapathy was revealed in 11 (20,0%) of 55 cases. The amount of monoclonal immunoglobulin varied from 2.6 to 14.1 g/l. Monoclonal immunoglobulin Gk was detected in 5 of 11 pts, Gλ - in 2, Mλ - in 2, Mk - in 2. Monoclonal gammapathy was accompanied by polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia in 9 of 11 cases, hypogammaglobulinaemia - in 2. CONCLUSION: Quantitative and qualitative immunoglobulinopathies are observed in most patients at the onset of AITL. Quantitative abnormalities were determined more often than qualitative. Monoclonal gammapathy can be a manifestation of lymphoproliferation and other concomitant disorders. The prognostic value of immunochemical parameters is still unclear and requires dynamic observation and study.

Critical role of STIR MRI in early detection of post-streptococcal periostitis with dysproteinaemia (Goldbloom's syndrome).

OBJECTIVES: In 1966, Goldbloom et al. described two children who developed a peculiar clinical picture characterized by intermittent daily bone pain in the lower limbs, fever spikes, increased acute phase reactants and dysproteinaemia. The syndrome occurred two weeks after a group A ß-haemolytic streptococcus infection. So far, only a few cases have been reported in the medical literature in English. METHODS: We report two further cases of Goldbloom's syndrome with a review of the literature in English. RESULTS: Our two patients lived in the same Italian region and presented their syndrome onset a week apart. Early use of STIR MRI revealed an atypical metaphyseal hyperintensity in the femurs and tibias. X-ray showed periosteal hyperostosis. A short cycle of corticosteroids led to rapid recovery of symptoms and disappearance of bone changes. CONCLUSIONS: The reported cases highlight a likely under-recognised post-streptococcal inflammatory periosteal reaction and emphasise the diagnostic utility of the newer imaging modalities.

A multicenter phase II prospective clinical trial of glucocorticoid for patients with untreated IgG4-related disease.

OBJECTIVE: Although glucocorticoids are effective for patients with IgG4-related disease, the treatment has not yet been standardized. Therefore, the treatment strategy should be established. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who fulfilled the comprehensive diagnostic criteria for definite IgG4-related disease were started on prednisolone (0.6 mg/kg body weight) with the dose reduced every two weeks. The subsequent maintenance dose and need for prednisolone were determined for individual patients. The primary endpoint was the complete remission (CR) rate at one year. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), the maintenance dose, the relapse rate, and adverse events. RESULTS: This study enrolled 61 patients. After clinicopathological review, three patients were excluded, and one, 13, and 44 patients were diagnosed with probable, possible, and definite IgG4-related disease, respectively. Of the 44 patients with definite IgG4-RD, 29 (65.9%) achieved CR, and the ORR was 93.2%. No patient was refractory to primary treatment. The most frequent adverse events were glucose intolerance. Six patients relapsed. CONCLUSIONS: Glucocorticoid treatment is usually effective for patients with IgG4-RD, and we should examine the possibility of other disorders when a patient is glucocorticoid refractory. Some patients are misdiagnosed, making central clinicopathological review of diagnosis very important in conducting clinical studies.

Multicentric Castleman disease mimicking IgG4-related disease: A case report.

A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for shoulder joint stiffness. She had a history of polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and an elevated C-reactive protein level. Her laboratory data revealed an elevated serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) level, hypergammaglobulinemia, and rheumatoid factor positivity in the absence of anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody. [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed significant [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in multiple lymph nodes (axillary, hilar, para-aortic, and inguinal). Biopsy of the inguinal lymph node showed expansion of the interfollicular areas by heavily infiltrating plasma cells, consistent with multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a 37.3% IgG4-positive:IgG-positive plasma cell ratio, indicating overlapping IgG4-related disease. However, serological cytokine analysis revealed elevated levels of interleukin-6 (9.3 pg/ml) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (1210 pg/ml), which are compatible with MCD. Corticosteroid treatment resolved the serological and imaging abnormalities. IgG4-related disease can mimic MCD, and it is crucial to distinguish between these two diseases. Serum interleukin-6 and VEGF levels may help to discriminate MCD from IgG4-related disease.

Impact of loss of NF-κB1, NF-κB2 or c-REL on SLE-like autoimmune disease and lymphadenopathy in Fas(lpr/lpr) mutant mice.

Defects in apoptosis can cause autoimmune disease. Loss-of-function mutations in the 'death receptor' FAS impair the deletion of autoreactive lymphocytes in the periphery, leading to progressive lymphadenopathy and systemic lupus erythematosus-like autoimmune disease in mice (Fas(lpr/lpr) (mice homozygous for the lymphoproliferation inducing spontaneous mutation)) and humans. The REL/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factors regulate a broad range of immune effector functions and are also implicated in various autoimmune diseases. We generated compound mutant mice to investigate the individual functions of the NF-κB family members NF-κB1, NF-κB2 and c-REL in the various autoimmune pathologies of Fas(lpr/lpr) mutant mice. We show that loss of each of these transcription factors resulted in amelioration of many classical features of autoimmune disease, including hypergammaglobulinaemia, anti-nuclear autoantibodies and autoantibodies against tissue-specific antigens. Remarkably, only c-REL deficiency substantially reduced immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis and extended the lifespan of Fas(lpr/lpr) mice. Interestingly, compared with the Fas(lpr/lpr) animals, Fas(lpr/lpr)nfkb2(-/-) mice presented with a dramatic acceleration and augmentation of lymphadenopathy that was accompanied by severe lung pathology due to extensive lymphocytic infiltration. The Fas(lpr/lpr)nfkb1(-/-) mice exhibited the combined pathologies caused by defects in FAS-mediated apoptosis and premature ageing due to loss of NF-κB1. These findings demonstrate that different NF-κB family members exert distinct roles in the development of the diverse autoimmune and lymphoproliferative pathologies that arise in Fas(lpr/lpr) mice, and suggest that pharmacological targeting of c-REL should be considered as a strategy for therapeutic intervention in autoimmune diseases.

[Autoimmune pancreatitis]. / Pancreatitis autoinmune.

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a benign fibroinflammatory disease of the pancreas of probable autoimmune origin, which includes 2 different phenotypes: type 1 (lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis) and type 2 (idiopathic duct-centric pancreatitis). Its clinical presentation as obstructive jaundice in patients with a pancreatic mass is common and therefore it must be included in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasia. Many diagnostic criteria have been described throughout history. The most famous are the HISORT criteria of the Mayo Clinic and the international consensus criteria of 2011. One of the main features of autoimmune pancreatitis is its dramatic response to steroid therapy, without the need for surgical treatment. Knowledge of this disease can dramatically change the management of patients with obstructive jaundice, who would otherwise be subjected to a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Phenotyping polyclonal kappa and lambda light chain molecular mass distributions in patient serum using mass spectrometry.

We previously described a microLC-ESI-Q-TOF MS method for identifying monoclonal immunoglobulins in serum and then tracking them over time using their accurate molecular mass. Here we demonstrate how the same methodology can be used to identify and characterize polyclonal immunoglobulins in serum. We establish that two molecular mass distributions observed by microLC-ESI-Q-TOF MS are from polyclonal kappa and lambda light chains using a combination of theoretical molecular masses from gene sequence data and the analysis of commercially available purified polyclonal IgG kappa and IgG lambda from normal human serum. A linear regression comparison of kappa/lambda ratios for 74 serum samples (25 hypergammaglobulinemia, 24 hypogammaglobulinemia, 25 normal) determined by microflowLC-ESI-Q-TOF MS and immunonephelometry had a slope of 1.37 and a correlation coefficient of 0.639. In addition to providing kappa/lambda ratios, the same microLC-ESI-Q-TOF MS analysis can determine the molecular mass for oligoclonal light chains observed above the polyclonal background in patient samples. In 2 patients with immune disorders and hypergammaglobulinemia, we observed a skewed polyclonal molecular mass distribution which translated into biased kappa/lambda ratios. Mass spectrometry provides a rapid and simple way to combine the polyclonal kappa/lambda light chain abundance ratios with the identification of dominant monoclonal as well as oligoclonal light chain immunoglobulins. We anticipate that this approach to evaluating immunoglobulin light chains will lead to improved understanding of immune deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and antibody responses.

Predictors of plasma cell disorders among African American patients: a community practice perspective.

African Americans have two- to three-fold higher incidence of multiple myeloma and MGUS compared to other ethnic groups in the USA. Some physicians often perform diagnostic evaluations for plasma cell disorders (PCD) in African American patients on the basis of hematological abnormalities (thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, etc.) even in the absence of traditional triggers such as anemia, renal impairment, hypercalcemia, hyperglobulinemia, and lytic bone disease. Whether these nontraditional triggers have any significant association with PCD in African American population is not known. In addition, whether this approach could detect more asymptomatic PCD than black population prevalence is questionable. Moreover, the association between traditional triggers and PCD particularly in blacks has not been clearly delineated. Hence, we have carried out a retrospective study in an attempt to answer these questions. Two hundred fifty-four patients were eligible. Multiple myeloma workup based on parameters other than traditional triggers did not detect more asymptomatic PCD than what is expected of black population prevalence (p = 0.19). Of traditional triggers, the finding of only anemia or hyperglobulinemia seemed to be nonspecific in black population (p = 0.17 and 0.85, respectively). However, the presence of serum creatinine >2 mg/dL or corrected serum calcium >10.5 mg/dL or a combination of traditional triggers appeared to be strongly predictive of PCD (odds ratio of 6.9, 4.2, and 3, respectively). The number of trigger variables was positively correlated with the likelihood of PCD (p < 0.001). Light-chain-only PCD, renal disease, and abnormal free light chain ratio seemed to be higher in black patients than their white counterparts.

IgG4-related dacryoadenitis in a 13-year-old girl.

IgG4-related disease is a recently described fibroinflammatory condition, often with systemic involvement. Several authors have reported IgG4-related orbital inflammation in adults. Pediatric cases of IgG4-related disease have been reported in the literature involving other areas of the body, with only 1 recent report of probable orbital involvement. The first case of probable IgG4-related dacryoadenitis is reported in a child.

[Immunoglobulin-G4-related disease: a challenging diagnosis]. / Boala legata de imunglobulinele G4: provocare diagnostica.

INTRODUCTION: Immunglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease was recently described and represents a systemic lymphoproliferative disorder. The orbital form of the disease manifests as chronic lid swelling and proptosis. Visual disturbances may occur due to apical orbital lesions. CASE REPORT: A 65-year old pacient presents with the impossibility of maintaining his right eye open due to a progressive swelling of the upper lid. The general clinical examination shows adenopathy at 3 lymph node stations of the head. On ophthalmologic examination, a large tumor of the upper lid is observed in the right eye and proptosis and central retinal vein occlusion are noted in the left eye. The serum levels of the IgG are very high. A lymph node biopsy was performed. DISCUSSION: The differential diagnosis between the IgG4-related orbital disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma is discussed. CONCLUSION The diagnosis criteria for IgG4-related disease are both the high serum levels of IgG4 and the specific immunohistochemistry stains.