A transient monoclonal gammopathy, IgA-lambda light chain, associated with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurred in a patient with acute leukemia in remission. Evidence of CMV infection was confirmed by indirect hemagglutination titers, initially being 1:4096 and gradually falling to 1:64. During the infection, serum and salivary IgA levels rose to 2450 mg/100 ml and 72 mg/100 ml, respectively. Bence Jones proteinuria, lambda type, (0.1 g/24 hr) occurred during the period of excessive immunoglobulin synthesis. Antibody activity against CMV was detected in serum IgA and IgG. Also unusual were the histologic changes indistinguishable from malignant lymphoma seen in a cervical lymph node. After withholding for 1 wk the immunosuppressive drug (methotrexate) she had been receiving, symptoms and signs of the CMV infection and of the monoclonal gammopathy disappeared without recurrence after maintenance methotrexate was resumed.

This content is only available as a PDF.
© 1974 by American Society of Hematology, Inc.
1974
Sign in via your Institution