[Alkaptonuria with ochronosis and monoclonal gammopathy]

A case of alkaptonuria with ochronosis is described. It is suggested that such cases are not so much rare as unobserved. Their aetiology is to be sought in a metabolic error, though the pathogenesis is not clear. The syndrome is of interest because ochronosis, wich is the articular manifestation, is one of the few rheumatological affections with a certain aetiology. The case described is unusual on account of the presence of monoclonal gammopathy. Since the presence of myeloma and macroglobulinaemia could be excluded, an immunological relation was sought between the alkaptonuria and the particular serological picture.