Simonini C, Natali P, Pirotti T, Nasillo V, Riva G, Chester J, Trenti T, Debbia D. SARS-CoV-2 infection is not associated with the emergence of monoclonal gammopathies.
Int J Lab Hematol 2024;
46:451-456. [PMID:
38185475 DOI:
10.1111/ijlh.14225]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Upon infection activated plasma cells produce large quantities of antibodies which can lead to the emergence of a monoclonal component (MC), detectable by serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). This study aims to investigate any correlation between SARS-CoV-2 infection and MC development and, if identified, whether it persists during follow-up.
METHODS
SPEPs of 786 patients admitted to hospitals between March 01 2020 and March 31 2022 were evaluated. Positive (SARS-CoV-2+) and negative (SARS-CoV-2-) patients to nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR were included. The persistence/new occurrence of MC was investigated for all patients during follow-up. Patient groups were compared by chi-square analysis.
RESULTS
MC was identified in 12% of all patients admitted to hospital, of which 28.7% were SARS-CoV-2+. The most common immunoglobulin isotype in both groups was IgG-k. There was no correlation between MC development and SARS-CoV-2 infection (p = 0.173). Furthermore, the risk of MC persistence in SARS-CoV-2-negative patients was revealed to be higher than in the SARS-CoV-2+ at follow-up (HR = 0.591, p = 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that the detection of MC during SARS-CoV-2 infection is most likely due to the hyperstimulation of the humoral immune system, as also occurs in other viral infections.
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