Polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis and hypergammaglobulinemia in patients with Gaucher disease

Am J Hematol. 1988 Dec;29(4):189-94. doi: 10.1002/ajh.2830290403.

Abstract

Sera from 23 individuals with Gaucher disease (GD) were analyzed for hypergammaglobulinemia and oligoclonal and monoclonal gammopathies. Serum IgG level was elevated in 15/23 (65%) patients, and a diffuse hypergammaglobulinemia was present in 10/23 (43%) patients. An oligoclonal gammopathy was noted in six patients, and a monoclonal gammopathy in two. Lymphocyte subset analysis was also carried out in eight individuals with GD. Four of five individuals showed increased surface Ig-positive lymphocytes, while 7/7 were positive for either increased CD19- and/or CD20-positive lymphocytes. An eighth patient was found to have a B-cell leukemia. Statistical analysis of kappa and lambda histograms were suggestive of a monoclonal excess. However, restriction enzyme analysis of four individuals with GD and increased B cells failed to show any evidence of Ig gene rearrangements. Serum Ig abnormalities and perhaps B-cell lymphocytosis appear to be common in the GD patient population and are not associated with circulating monoclonal lymphocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Gaucher Disease / complications*
  • Humans
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / etiology*
  • Immunoglobulin G*
  • Immunoglobulins / analysis
  • Lymphocytes / classification
  • Lymphocytosis / etiology*
  • Lymphocytosis / pathology
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulins