Serum Protein Electrophoresis -Interpretation

Serum protein electrophoresis separates proteins based on their charge, size and shape. Albumin is the major component of serum protein and constitutes the first peak on left

In electrophoreis Gamma zone comprises mainly of Immunoglobulins which are made of two protein moeties called heavy and light chains Antibodies are made of gamma globulin called an Immunoglobulin Immunoglobulins are glycoprotein molecules - produced by plasma B cells in response to specific immunogens and function as antibodies Each B cell produces a unique antibody ( monoclonal antibody ) Five classes of Immunoglobulins - see table

Gammopathy is abnormal proliferation of lymphoid cells producing Immunoglobulins. Important to differentiate if monclonal or polyclonal

Test for Immunoglobulins via Serum Protein Electrophoresis ( SPEP ) Tests done normally to detect abnormality of 3 classes IgG , IgA and IgM Ig levels provide information of the humoral immune system Levels can be low ( deficiency ) , raised or a combination of increased and decreased levels Low level of Ig is called hypogammaglubulinaemia ( ↓ ed gamma GBlin)

Low levels- Low levels indicated some form of humoral immunodeficiencyImmunodeficiency can be isolated defect or a wider combined T and B cell deficiency-family h/o immunodeficiency recurrent severe or unusual...