Plasma-Cell Dyscrasia and Peripheral Neuropathy with a Monoclonal Antibody to Peripheral-Nerve Myelin

TLDR

Peripheral neuropathy is linked to plasma‑cell dyscrasia, yet it is unclear whether monoclonal immunoglobulins target peripheral‑nerve antigens. This case report investigates a patient whose peripheral neuropathy is associated with an IgMk monoclonal protein directed against peripheral‑nerve myelin. Pathological and immunological studies, including complement fixation and immunoabsorption, confirmed the IgMk antibody’s specificity for peripheral‑nerve myelin. The patient exhibited moderate to severe weakness and atrophy of hand and distal limb muscles. No additional metadata provided.

Abstract

PERIPHERAL neuropathy has been associated with plasma-cell dyscrasia, 1 but it is not known whether the monoclonal immunoglobulins react with peripheral-nerve antigens. We report on a patient with a peripheral neuropathy associated with an IgMk monoclonal protein, in whom pathological and immunological studies indicated that the IgMk antibody was directed against peripheral-nerve myelin, as shown by complement fixation and immunoabsorption.Case ReportThe patient was a 45-year-old man admitted for evaluation of a slowly progressive sensory-motor neuropathy of 11 years' duration. On examination there was moderate to severe weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the hands and distal parts of . . ...