Blood biochemistry: gamma globulin

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Sections available in full article Overview, Uses, Sampling, Source of test material, Quantity of test material, Quality control, Test (s), Methodologies, Availability, Technique (intrinsic) limitations, Technician (extrinsic) limitations, Result data, Normal (reference) values, Abnormal values, Errors and Artifacts, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Kathleen P Freeman DVM MS PhD MRCVS
Synonyms IgG

Overview

  • Immunoglobulins produced by plasma cells and have important role in immune system.
  • Four distinct classes:
    • IgG most abundant (mediates systemic infection).
    • IgM major immunoglobulin produced in primary immune response.
    • IgA important in external secretions (protect intestine, respiratory and urogenital tracts).
    • IgE (proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells → homogenous protein produced).
  • Detection of:
    • Lymphoproliferative neoplasia Lymphoproliferative disease.
    • Infectious disease.
    • ?Immune-mediated disease.

Uses

Alone

  • Monoclonal gammopathies.

In combination

  • Immunodeficiency.
  • Polyclonal gammopathies (production of several immunoglobulin types):
    • Subacute and chronic inflammation.
    • Auto-immune disease.

Result data

Normal (reference) values



UK
  • 8-18 g/l.
US
  • 0.8-1.8 g/dl.
  • Conversion factor: g/dl x 10 → g/l.
  • Can only be determined in conjunction with total protein Blood biochemistry: total protein and albumin Blood biochemistry: albumin values.

Abnormal values



Hypergammaglobulinemia

Polyclonal increase (usually beta-globulins)
  • Chronic inflammatory disease.
  • Chronic nephritis Chronic interstitial nephritis.
  • Abscess.
  • Liver cirrhosis Liver: cirrhosis.
  • Auto-immune diseases.
  • Suppurative diseases, eg pyometra Pyometra.
  • Lymphosarcoma Lymphoma.
  • Elevated or reduced levels may be associated with changes in levels of alpha- and/or beta-globulins as identified by serum protein or high resolution electrophoresis method.
Monoclonal increase
  • Lymphoproliferative disease:
    • Lymphosarcoma Lymphoma.
    • Plasma cell myeloma.
    • Myeloma Myeloma.
    • Leukemia.
  • Some infectious disease:
    • Ehrlichiosis.
  • Occasionally immune-mediated disease.

Hypogammaglobulinemia

  • Severe liver disease.
  • Congenital immunodeficiency.
  • Colostral deprivation in neonates.
  • Acquired immunodeficiency.
  • Immunosuppression.

Errors and Artifacts

  • Dependent on accuracy of total protein Blood biochemistry: total protein and albumin Blood biochemistry: albumin values from which it is calculated. when using serum protein electrophoresis.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Font A (1996) Consider leishmaniasis in differential for monoclonal gammopathies in dogs. JAVMA 208 , 104-107.

Other sources of information

  • Ettinger S J & Feldman E C (eds) (2000) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 5th edn. Philadelphia: W B Saunders & Co.
  • Kaneko J J, Harvey J W & Brass M L (eds) (1997) Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. 5th edn. Boston: Academic Press.
  • Duncan J R, Prasse K W & Mahaffey E A (1994) Veterinary Laboratory Medicine. Clinical Pathology. 3rd edn. Iowa: Iowa University Press.

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