Plasmapheresis and cold sensitivity of immunoglobulin molecules. II. A study of macroglobulinemia polyclonalis spuria and immune complex disease.

Abstract

The indications for plasmapheresis in the different hyperviscosity syndromes are discussed on the basis of data on relative serum viscosity at 13 and 37 degrees C. Beside monoclonal macroglobulinemia there are conditions with a high content of polyclonal IgM and also of IgG and IgA where hyperviscosity is a dominant symptom. The importance of what may be called macroglobulinemia polyclonalis spuria is stated and a number of patients belonging to this type are discussed. Polyclonal increase in IgG, even at high levels, usually does not cause severe hyperviscosity. Case histories of patients with rheumatoid disease and marked hyperviscosity constitute one group. Another is formed by diseases leading to the development of immune complexes. Such complexes are usually caused by binding of polyclonal IgG to monoclonal IgM, but other combinations are also known. A number of clinical examples of these different disease conditions, some probably indicating intense plasmapheresis, are analyzed. The limited value of plasmapheresis alone without cytostatic treatment is stressed as regards hyperviscosity. Another indication is removal of noxious protein components.