Overview

• Immunoglobulins produced by plasma cells and have important role in immune system.
• Four distinct classes:
  • IgG most abundant (mediates systemic infection).
  • IgM major immunoglobulin produced in primary immune response.
  • IgA important in external secretions (protect intestine, respiratory and urogenital tracts).
  • IgE (proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells → homogenous protein produced).
• Detection of:
  • Lymphoproliferative neoplasia Lymphoproliferative disease.
  • Infectious disease.
  • ?Immune-mediated disease.

Sampling

Tests

Methodologies

• Serum protein electrophoresis (does not identify classes; quantifies total globulins).
• Immunoelectrophoresis: separating plasma/serum proteins.
• Radial immunodiffusion (most accurate quantification, usually class specific identification of immunoglobulin pursued).

Availability

• Serum protein electrophoresis done at most commercial laboratories.
• Immunoelectrophoresis or radial immunodiffusion less widely available.
• Call laboratory to determine availability prior to submission.

Technique (intrinsic) limitations

• Test results only significant in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings.

Technician (extrinsic) limitations

• Electrophoresis: sophisticated technique.

Result Data

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from VetMedResource and PubMed.
• Font A (1996) Consider leishmaniasis in differential for monoclonal gammopathies in dogs. JAVMA 208, 104-107.

Other sources of information

• Ettinger S J & Feldman E C (2000) Eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 5th edn. W B Saunders & Co, USA.
• Kaneko J J, Harvey J W & Brass M L (1997) Eds. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. 5th edn. Academic Press, USA.
• Duncan J R, Prasse K W & Mahaffey E A (1994) Veterinary Laboratory Medicine. Clinical Pathology. 3rd edn. Iowa University Press, USA.