Diagnostic Utilization of Serum Protein Electrophoresis and Serum Immunofixation in Detection of Monoclonal Gammopathy

Abstract

Objective: the aim of our study was detection of monoclonal bands in serum protein electrophoresis followed by their characterization with the help of serum immunofixation electrophoresis. Moreover, comparison between the two techniques in order to detect any discrepant findings was done as well.

Methodology:  This is a prospective study carried out at Chughtai Institute of Pathology from January 2025 to June 2025. Eighty three samples revealing a distortion in gamma region on SPE were selected. Both male and female patients above 18 years of age were included in the study. Patients who had any history of renal or liver disease were excluded from the study. After selection, the samples were run for SPE and SIFE, which was followed by the statistical analysis with the help of SPSS software

Results: A total of 83 samples were analysed on SPE, out of which a monoclonal band was detected in 81 cases, two cases revealed hypogammaglobulinemia. This was followed by SIFE for characterization of the monoclonal proteins which aided in detection of monoclonal bands in the cases which revealed hypogammaglobulinemia on SPE.

Conclusion: Study revealed that SIFE has a greater sensitivity as compared to serum protein electrophoresis for detection of M bands. SPE serves as a good screening tool, SIFE acts as a gold standard as it can help in detection of monoclonal bands which might be missed if SPE was performed alone.