Immunoglobulin G paraprotein cross-reactivity with immunoglobulin M measurement

Abstract

We report a case of IgG paraprotein cross-reactivity with IgM measurement in a patient with IgGκ multiple myeloma and associated IgA and IgM immune paresis. IgM measurements using a Beckman-Coulter Synchron LX IgM reagent initially gave unmeasurably low IgM concentrations (<0.3 g/L) but IgM quantitation using later batches of reagent gave IgM concentrations of 13–42 g/L. Immunofixation confirmed the continued presence of the IgGκ paraprotein band with suppression of IgA and IgM and analysis on the Behring BN2 and Beckman-Coulter Immage instruments showed IgM concentrations of <0.2 g/L. Immunofixation using the Synchron LX IgM reagent as antiserum confirmed binding of the Synchron LX IgM antiserum to the IgGκ paraprotein. This case highlights the importance of checking all unexpected immunoglobulin measurements with previous results and immunofixation findings to avoid mistakes.