immunoperturbation in paraproteinemia

The immunoperturbations in paraproteinemias are due predominantly to a disturbance of the B-cell system. The immunologic deficiency is characterized clinically by an increased susceptibility to infections and serologically by a reduction of the nonmyeloma immunoglobulins. In advances cases the capacity to produce specific antibodies is impaired. This may be attributed to a low rate of synthesis or an increased catabolism of normal immunoglobulins.