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.