Hypergammaglobulinemia

An abnormal increase in serum gamma globulins above the normal reference range (0.7–1.6 g/dL or 7–16% of total serum protein) produced by plasma cells or B lymphocytes.

Causes

• Chronic infectious causes

  • Viral hepatitis

  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

  • Tuberculosis

  • Infectious mononucleosis

  • Other chronic infections

• Autoimmune causes

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Sjögren's syndrome

  • Other chronic autoimmune disorders: Granulomatous diseases

• Chronic liver diseases

  • Cirrhosis

  • Autoimmune hepatitis

  • Alcohol-induced liver injury

• Hematologic and malignant causes

  • Leukemia

  • Lymphoma

  • Multiple myeloma

  • Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)

  • Waldenström macroglobulinemia