Monoclonal gammopathy among patients with chronic hepatitis C infection

Objective: To determine the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies in Kuwait and its association with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methodology: Serum protein electrophoresis and measurement of immunoglobulin levels were carried out prospectively in 100 consecutive patients with chronic HCV infection.

Results: Among the 100 patients tested (82 males, 18 females; median age 45 years), 59 had polyclonal band in serum protein electrophoresis while the other 41 had a normal pattern. None of the patients had monoclonal gammopathy. The mean serum immunoglobulin levels were: IgG 18.4 g/l (range 4-39), IgA 2.9 g/l (range 0.09-8) and IgM 1.6 g/l (range 0.14-6.08).

Conclusion: There was no evidence of monoclonal gammopathies in patients with chronic HCV infection in Kuwait.