English 
Italian CONTRIBUTI SCIENTIFICI – Scientific Papers
Volume:
Biochimica Clinica 2014; 38(4) 292-294
Published on-line:
DOI:
Prevalenza di componenti monoclonali in una popolazione di donatori di sangue
AUTHORS
1Laboratorio Analisi, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona
2Dipartimento Regionale di Medicina Trasfusionale – Marche
ABSTRACT
Prevalence of monoclonal components in a blood donor population
Occasional detection of monoclonal components (MC) is frequently attributable to the clinically silent presence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, which nevertheless carries a small risk of developing into myeloma over the years. Over 2007-2012, 9902 blood donors underwent serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) during routine blood tests. Any abnormalities in their SPE pattern were confirmed and characterized by serum protein immunofixation (IFE). A MC was detected in 58 donors (0.59%), the frequency being significantly higher in males (56/6564) than in females (2/3338) (P <0.0001). There was a 2.2% prevalence in individuals >50 years. The monoclonal immunoglobulins were IgG (70.7%), IgM (15.5%), IgA (12.1%) and IgD (1.7%). The involved light chains were k in 67.2% and l in 32.8% of cases. The Bence-Jones protein test was always negative in 18 examined cases. The prevalence of MC in individuals >50 years was similar to that reported in other studies and higher than that reported in the ’70-’80s. These findings may indicate a potential increase in the number of myeloma cases.