Inherited Bisalbuminemia with Benign Monoclonal Gammopathy Detected by Capillary but not Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

Abstract

Bisalbuminemia (or alloalbuminemia) is characterized by the presence of two albumin components (in equal or unequal amounts) on serum protein electrophoresis (1). Bisalbuminemia may be inherited (genetic) or acquired. The cumulative frequency of inherited bisalbuminemia is typically 1:10 000 to 1:1000 (2)(3)(4), with inheritance showing an autosomal codominant pattern (5). Inherited bisalbuminemia has no pathologic or therapeutic consequences, but it is of interest for investigations of the evolution of functional differences in the protein, including altered affinity for steroid hormones, thyroxine, and several dyes (6). An acquired or transient form has been described that usually has a faster mobility (1)(7)(8). The faster form may be seen in patients who receive large amounts of β-lactam antibiotics or have pancreatic diseases, usually complicated by a ruptured false cyst (9). Acquired bisalbuminemia has been reported as a rare occurrence in patients with myeloma (10) or in nephrotic syndrome (1). We recently …