Serum immunoglobulin levels in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases in Erbil, Kurdistan region, Iraq

Background and objectives: Lymphoproliferative neoplasms are among the commonest human neoplasia. Immune dysregulation is frequently associated with many of these diseases, particularly those related to B-cell origin. This study aimed to find out the immunological status of newly diagnosed patients with lymphoproliferative disorders. Methods: This study was carried out in Erbil province during the period from November 2010 to April 2011. Fifty two newly diagnosed patients (34 males and 18 females) with lymphoproliferative disorders referred to Nnakaly Hospital for blood disease and 20 healthy control subjects had been included in this study. Determination of immunoglobulin subclasses by radial immunodiffusion in addition serum protein electrophoresis has been performed for each sample for the detection of monoclonal bands. Results: Serum IgM and IgA level were decreased in all groups of patients with different lymphoproliferative disorders compared to control group. Serum IgG level showed insignificant reduction in acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, but it was increased in non Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma patients. Paraproteinemia had been seen in all patients with multiple myeloma while only 10% of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non Hodgkin lymphoma showed paraproteinemia. No M-band had been noticed in acute lymphocytic leukemia and Hodgkin lymphoma. Conclusion: There were some conflicting data regarding serum immunoglobulin levels in newly diagnosed patients with lymphoproliferative disorders in Erbil, Iraq.