Which statement correctly contrasts polyclonal and monoclonal gammopathy?

Which statement correctly contrasts polyclonal and monoclonal gammopathy?

• A. Polyclonal: all fractions in the gamma globulin are increased; Monoclonal: only one Ig fraction of gamma globulin is increased
• B. Polyclonal: only one Ig fraction increased; Monoclonal: all fractions increased
• C. Polyclonal: gamma decreased; Monoclonal: gamma increased
• D. Polyclonal: no change; Monoclonal: gamma fractions increased

Answer: (A)

Polyclonal gammopathy reflects activation of many B-cell clones, each making different antibodies. Because many antibody species are increased, the gamma globulin region rises broadly and you see elevations across multiple immunoglobulin fractions rather than a single dominant one. Monoclonal gammopathy, on the other hand, comes from a single clone of plasma cells producing a uniform immunoglobulin. This creates a sharp rise in one specific immunoglobulin fraction (the monoclonal protein), often seen as an M-spike on electrophoresis and identified by the exact heavy and light chain types on immunofixation. So the statement matching this pattern—polyclonal with broad increases across gamma globulin fractions, and monoclonal with an increase in only one immunoglobulin fraction—is the best description.

Polyclonal gammopathy reflects activation of many B-cell clones, each making different antibodies. Because many antibody species are increased, the gamma globulin region rises broadly and you see elevations across multiple immunoglobulin fractions rather than a single dominant one.

Monoclonal gammopathy, on the other hand, comes from a single clone of plasma cells producing a uniform immunoglobulin. This creates a sharp rise in one specific immunoglobulin fraction (the monoclonal protein), often seen as an M-spike on electrophoresis and identified by the exact heavy and light chain types on immunofixation.

So the statement matching this pattern—polyclonal with broad increases across gamma globulin fractions, and monoclonal with an increase in only one immunoglobulin fraction—is the best description.