Detection of Heavy Chain Disease by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis

Abstract

Luraschi et al. (1) recently published the first report describing the use of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled with immunosubtraction to detect and characterize low concentrations of free γ heavy chains in serum. By contrast, we describe a case in which CZE failed to detect and characterize μ heavy chain disease. A 90-year-old woman who complained of weight loss presented with progressive enlargement of the left parotid gland, splenomegaly, and palpable inguinal lymph node enlargements. A combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography whole body scan confirmed left parotid involvement as well as supra- and infradiaphragmatic involvement of the lymph nodes. Laboratory investigation showed hemoglobin, leukocyte count and differentiation, and a platelet count within the appropriate reference intervals. Serum lactate dehydrogenase was increased. The IgG concentration was 5.46 g/L, …