Paraproteinemia in normal family members of eight cases with primary intestinal lymphomas in Iraq.

Normal family members of eight patients with paraproteinemia of the primary intestinal lymphoma, had been investigated by immunoelectrophoresis, for IgA heavy chain pattern. IgA heavy chain pattern was demonstrated in four families only, of different members, but all are of the first degree relationship. Detailed clinical, laboratory, radiological and histopathological findings of those eight cases were suggestive of malaborption. Out of the 129 normal family members of the 8 cases, 23 cases (17.8%) had abnormal immunoglobulin in their sera. These results may explain a hereditary factor which is responsible for production of alpha-chain diseases. Supports for this hypothesis need further research.