Multiple Myeloma (Part 1) - Update on Epidemiology, Diagnostic Criteria, Systemic Treatment and Prognosis / Mieloma múltiplo (Parte 1) - Atualização sobre epidemiología, critérios diagnósticos, tratamento sistêmico e prognóstico

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by unregulated and clonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow; these cells produce and secrete an anomalous monoclonal immunoglobulin, or a fragment of this, called M protein. The clinical manifestations of MM result from the proliferation of these plasmocytes, the excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulin and the suppression of normal humoral immunity, leading to hypercalcemia, bone destruction, renal failure, suppression of hematopoiesis and humoral immunity, increasing the risk for the development of infections. The increase in life expectancy of the world population led to a concomitant increase in the prevalence of MM, a pathology that usually affects the elderly population. The aim of this review is to update the reader on epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis with other monoclonal gam-mopathies, systemic treatment and prognosis of MM.

Resumo O mieloma múltiplo (MM) constitui neoplasia maligna de origem hematológica caracterizada pela proliferação desregulada e clonal de plasmócitos na medula óssea; estas células produzem e secretam imunoglobulina monoclonal anômala, ou um fragmento desta, denominado proteína M. As manifestações clínicas do MM decorrem da proliferação destes plasmócitos, da produção excessiva de imunoglobulina monoclonal e da supressão da imunidade humoral normal, levando à hipercalcemia, destruição óssea, insuficiência renal, supressão da hematopoiese e da imunidade humoral,aumentandooriscoparaodesenvolvimento de infecções. O aumento na expectativa de vida da população mundial levou a concomitante incremento na prevalência do MM, patologia que habitualmente acomete a população idosa. O objetivo desta revisão é atualizar o leitor sobre a epidemiologia, critérios diagnósticos, diagnóstico diferencial com outras gamopatias monoclonais, tratamento sistêmico e prognóstico do MM.

Clinical characteristics and progression risk factors for patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical presentation and progression risk factors of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in China. Methods: We retrospectively assessed the clinical features and disease progression of 1 037 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance between January 2004 and January 2022 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Results: A total of 1 037 patients were recruited in the study, including 636 males (63.6%) , with a median age of 58 (18-94) years. The median concentration of serum monoclonal protein was 2.7 (0-29.4) g/L. The monoclonal immunoglobulin type was IgG in 380 patients (59.7%) , IgA in 143 patients (22.5%) , IgM in 103 patients (16.2%) , IgD in 4 patients (0.6%) , and light chain in 6 patients (0.9%) . 171 patients (31.9%) had an abnormal serum-free light chain ratio (sFLCr) . According to the Mayo Clinic model for risk of progression, the proportion of patients in the low-risk, medium-low-risk, medium-high risk, and high-risk groups were 254 (59.5%) , 126 (29.5%) , 43 (10.1%) , and 4 (0.9%) , respectively. With a median follow-up of 47 (1-204) months, 34 of 795 patients (4.3%) had disease progression, and 22 (2.8%) died. The overall progression rate was 1.06 (0.99-1.13) /100 person-years. Patients with non-IgM MGUS have a markedly higher disease progression rate per 100 person-years than IgM-MGUS (2.87/100 person-years vs 0.99/100 person-years, P=0.002) . The disease progression rate per 100 person-years in non-IgM-MGUS patients of Mayo classification low-risk, medium-low risk and medium-high risk groups were 0.32 (0.25-0.39) /100 person-years, 1.82 (1.55-2.09) /100 person-years, and2.71 (1.93-3.49) /100 person-years, which had statistically difference (P=0.005) . Conclusion: In comparison to non-IgM-MGUS, IgM-MGUS has a greater risk of disease progression. The Mayo Clinic progression risk model applies to non-IgM-MGUS patients in China.

Co-occurrence of myeloid neoplasm and plasma cell neoplasm

ABSTRACT Co-occurrence of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and plasma cell neoplasm in patients with no history of chemo and/or radiotherapy is rarely reported. Herein, we report a case of a female in her seventieth decade of life who was referred to the hospital for pancytopenia. The patient was asymptomatic and was doing well overall. Serum protein electrophoresis was remarkable for a lambda-restricted monoclonal protein (IgG) estimated at 1.8g/dL. Immunoglobulin G serum level was also elevated, and serum Kappa/Lambda free light chain ratio was decreased. At that time, a bone marrow biopsy showed myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts-2 (MDS-EB2) and a monoclonal plasma cell proliferation. Some studies have shown that patients with plasma cell neoplasm could be associated with an increased risk of developing MDS compared to the general population. Based on reviewing the literature, to our knowledge, the pathological mechanism of the co-occurrence of both diseases is not yet clear.

Familial Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia: report of 6 cases and review of literature / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To investigate the familial inheritances, clinical features, treatments and outcomes of familial Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) patients.Methods:The clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, diagnosis and treatments, and follow-up data of 6 familial WM patients who were admitted to Yancheng No.1 People's Hospital from June 2002 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and the literature was reviewed.Results:Among 6 WM patients, 4 patients had dizziness and fatigue at the onset, 1 patient had recurrent low-grade fever and abnormal sweating as the first manifestations, 1 patient was hospitalized due to pulmonary infection, and WM was found later. Two brothers of the patients were diagnosed with WM, another 2 brothers of the patients had IgM-type monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) during the physical examination. All the 6 patients were middle-aged/elderly men, with a median age of 63 years old (51-70 years old). The median follow-up time were 71.5 months (4-217 months), and by the end of the follow-up (June 2020), 2 cases died of pulmonary infection, and 1 of them developed acute myeloid leukemia; the other 4 cases were in regular chemotherapy. Two IgM-MGUS patients were followed up without symptoms.Conclusions:WM patients have familial aggregation, and their clinical manifestations are highly heterogeneous. Patients with family history may have poor prognosis. It is necessary to strengthen the awareness of WM and family history screening.

Tuberculosis presenting as proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits / Tuberculosis que se presenta como glomerulonefritis proliferativa con depósitos de inmunoglobulina monoclonal

Abstract Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits is defined as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis like injury with monotypic Ig deposits restricted to a single light chain isotype.Here we present a patient who presented with hypocomplementemia and nephrotic syndrome, who was initially diagnosed with proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits. He developed disseminated tuberculosis after a brief course of immunosuppression. Successful treatment of tuberculosis resulted in the complete remission of glomerular disease and the disappearance of monoclonal protein. Hence, we believe he had Tuberculosis-related proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits. Treatment strategies have not been structured due to the rarity of the condition and lack of randomized trials. However, expert opinion suggests clone-based therapy. proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits with a benign course without clone-based therapy has been reported. Patients seldom respond to classic immunosuppressants. Even some cases experience slowly progressive disease under angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition alone. There are also cases secondary to viral infections. Our case and the particular "benign" cases lead us to an intriguing proposition that proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits might not be a single disease. A subset of patients may be experiencing infection-related or post-infectious glomerulonephritis presenting as proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits.

Resumen La lesión similar a la glomerulonefritis membranoproliferativa con depósitos de Ig monotípicos restringidos a un isotipo de cadena ligera única se conoce actualmente como glomerulonefritis proliferativa con depósitos de inmunoglobulina monoclonal. A continuación presentamos a un paciente que presentó hipocomplementemia y síndrome nefrótico, al que inicialmente se le diagnosticó glomerulonefritis proliferativa con depósitos de inmunoglobulina monoclonal. Desarrolló tuberculosis diseminada después de un breve curso de inmunosupresión. El tratamiento exitoso de la tuberculosis dio como resultado la remisión completa de la enfermedad glomerular y la desaparición de la proteína monoclonal. Por lo tanto, creemos que tenía glomerulonefritis proliferativa con depósitos de inmunoglobulina monoclonal relacionada con tuberculosis diseminada. Las estrategias de tratamiento no se han estructurado debido a la rareza de la afección y la falta de ensayos aleatorios. Sin embargo, la opinión de los expertos sugiere una terapia basada en clones. Se ha informado de glomerulonefritis proliferativa con depósitos de inmunoglobulina monoclonal con un curso benigno sin terapia basada en clones. Los pacientes rara vez responden a los inmunosupresores clásicos. Incluso algunos casos experimentan una enfermedad de progresión lenta solo con la inhibición de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina. También hay casos secundarios a infecciones virales. Nuestro caso y los casos "benignos" particulares nos llevan a la propuesta intrigante de que la glomerulonefritis proliferativa con depósitos de inmunoglobulina monoclonal podría no ser una sola enfermedad. Un subgrupo de pacientes puede estar experimentando glomerulonefritis postinfecciosa o relacionada con una infección que se presenta como glomerulonefritis proliferativa con depósitos de inmunoglobulina monoclonal.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance clinic during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic: caring for the vulnerable in an academic medical center

Background: Patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) have clinical features including older age, presence of medical comorbidities, susceptibility to infections, and thrombotic tendencies which are relevant when assessing their risk during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Objective: To study the vulnerability of patients with MGUS during the COVID-19 pandemic, we assessed the local management of MGUS patients and their clinical outcomes. Methods: Retrospective chart reviews were performed for all patients with MGUS seen at a university medical center clinic (2014-2020). Results: A total of 228 MGUS patients were included; 211 patients are alive, 7 patients died before the pandemic, and 10 patients died since the pandemic declaration. The mean age and the overall survival (OS) of the patients who died before versus during the pandemic were 83.0 versus 75.2 years, p = 0.4, and OS 40.6 versus 53.2 months, p = 0.3, respectively. One patient died of COVID-19. Nine patients had venous thromboembolisms (VTE), all of which occurred before the pandemic onset. Conclusions: There were no significant differences found in the mean age or OS of the MGUS patients who died before versus after the pandemic onset. An increase in VTE rates was not seen. Study results are limited by small patient numbers.

Patologías cutáneas asociadas a gammapatías monoclonales: ¿qué sabemos hasta ahora? / Dermatological manifestations of monoclonal gammopathies

Monoclonal gammopathies of uncertain significance (MGUS) correspond to pre-malignant hematological disorders characterized by the production of a monoclonal protein and infiltration of less than 10% of the bone marrow by plasma cells. Its importance lies in the risk of progression to malignant disorders and in the association with different renal, neurological and skin manifestations. There are pathophysiological mechanisms that support a causal relationship between monoclonal gammopathies (MGs) and different skin diseases, such as type I cryoglobulinemia (CG), primary systemic amyloidosis (PSA) or necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG). However, there is a group of skin diseases associated with MGs whose pathogenesis has not been elucidated. In this context, the role of the dermatologist is crucial in the suspicion of different haematological disorders based on skin manifestations and in the multidisciplinary treatment of these patients. In this article, we carry out an exhaustive review of the literature published in this area and propose a screening algorithm for MGs in patients with specific skin diseases.

Application of capillary electrophoresis in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant monoclonal gammopathies / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the value of capillary electrophoresis in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant monoclonal gammopathies (MGs).Methods:A retrospective analysis of the capillary electrophoresis test results of 2 445 newly diagnosed patients at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2016 to June 2020 was carried out. Capillary zone electrophoresis and immunosubtractive assay were used to detect serum monoclonal protein (MP). The clinical diagnosis and other information of the patients were collected from the clinical database of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used to compare the different amount of monoclonal protein among multiple groups. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the monoclonal protein of each type. Youden index was used to calculate the cut-off values.Results:Among the 2 445 patients, 1 183 were positive for monoclonal protein, of which 944 cases were diagnosed as malignant MG, 174 were monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and 65 cases were monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). The percentages of M protein types from high to low is immunoglobulin G(IgG)-κ, IgG-λ, IgA-λ, IgA-κ, free λ light chain, free κ light chain, IgM-κ, double clone, and IgM-λ. The levels of MP of IgG, IgA, IgM and FLC in the malignant MG group were all higher than those in the MGUS group, with statistical significance( P<0.01). The MP levels of IgG and IgA types in malignant MG group were higher than that in MGRS group ( P<0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that the MP of IgG, IgA, IgM and FLC types had good diagnostic efficacy for malignant MG ( P<0.01), and their AUC values were 0.947 (95 %CI 0.926-0.968), 0.930 (95 %CI 0.895-0.966), 0.844 (95 %CI 0.722-0.967) and 0.865 (95 %CI 0.781-0.950), respectively. For IgG, the cut-off value was 14.24 g/L, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 88.5% and 90.1%, respectively. The cut-off value of IgA was 8.88 g/L, and the sensitivity and specificity of IgA were 87.9% and 81.4%, respectively. For IgM, the cut-off value was 26.93 g/L, and the sensitivity was 64.4% and the specificity was 90.9%. For FLC, the cut-off value, diagnostic sensitivity, and specificity was 7.08 g/L, 85.9%, and 77.8%, respectively. Conclusions:Capillary electrophoresis immunotyping technique can be used to diagnose malignant MG such as multiple myeloma (MM) and non-Hodgkin′s lymphoma (NHL), as well as to screen and track diseases like MGUS and MGRS. Serum MP level can be used to distinguish malignant MG from benign MG effectively.

Dysphagia as a Clinical Manifestation of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: A Case Report / 대한연하장애학회지

Swallowing can be affected by a variety of systemic diseases. The etiology of dysphagia in the geriatric population is usually overlooked due mainly to a presumed diagnosis of presbyphagia or difficulty in revealing the direct cause. On the other hand, dysphagia can be a meaningful clinical sign of premalignant systemic disease. A 78-year-old man, without any prior medical or family history, was admitted with the chief complaint of dysphagia with recent aspiration pneumonia. Instrumental swallowing tests revealed a severe degree of dysphagia due to decreased laryngopharyngeal sensation and weakness of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles. Extensive workup, including electromyography and laboratory tests, revealed severe sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy related to monoclonal gammopathy. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant precursor of multiple myeloma, which is characterized by the proliferation of monoclonal proteins. These conditions are often associated with peripheral polyneuropathy, ataxia, and sometimes even muscle weakness. Although dysphagia can occur in other systemic disorders, such as vasculitis or paraneoplastic syndrome-related malignancies, there are few reports of dysphagia related to MGUS. The patient was followed up for three years. The MGUS showed no further progression, but the patient showed no improvement, indicating a protracted clinical course and poor prognosis when dysphagia is related to MGUS.

Five-Year Follow-up Study of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance in a Korean Elderly Urban Cohort / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: We previously reported the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to be 3.3% among an elderly Korean urban cohort recruited during 2005-2006. Here, we report a 5-year follow-up study of the previously identified MGUS cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 680 participants from the initial cohort were followed-up for a median of 5 years. Sera were collected between 2010 and 2011. Two-step screening was performed with standard serum electrophoresis followed by immunofixation and determination of the serum concentration of monoclonal-protein (M-protein). RESULTS: Of the 680 participants (21 with MGUS), 348 (51%) agreed to participate in the follow-up study and 10 were found to have MGUS. Among the 21 MGUS patients initially identified, nine were followed-up, six had persistent M-protein, and one patient had progressed to multiple myeloma (progression rate, 1.0%/yr). The M-protein disappeared in the remaining two individuals. Among the 339 participants without MGUS who were followed-up, four developed an M-protein. There was no significant difference in survival with respect to the presence of MGUS (p=0.66). CONCLUSION: The 5-year follow-up data show that the natural clinical course of MGUS in Korea is similar to that in Western countries. MGUS was not associated with an increased risk of death over the 5-year study period.

In vivo confocal microscopic characteristics of crystalline keratopathy in patients with monoclonal gammopathy: Report of two cases.

In this paper, we report two cases of a 62‑year‑old patient presented with blurred vision and a 45‑year‑old male diagnosed with multiple myeloma who was referred from the Department of Oncology. Slit‑lamp examination, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), systemic work‑up and serum protein electrophoresis were obtained. In both patients, slit‑lamp findings revealed bilateral diffuse subepithelial and anterior stromal crystals and IVCM showed highly reflective deposits in the corneal epithelium and stroma. The first patient was eventually diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance following bone marrow biopsy and systemic evaluation. Unusual corneal deposits may constitute the first sign of monoclonal gammopathies. IVCM may be helpful in showing the crystalline nature of the corneal deposits and guiding the clinician to the diagnosis of gammopathies. Both ophthalmologists and oncologists should be aware that corneal deposits may herald a life‑threatening hematologic disease.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smoldering multiple myeloma: biological insights and early treatment strategies / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Researches on monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering muhiple myeloma (SMM) are at a low level although their incidence is high.This review discusses curent biological insights in MGUS/SMM and discusses how the integration of novel biological markers,molecular imaging,and clinical monitoring of MGUS/SMM could facilitate the development of early treatment strategies for high-risk SMM (early myeloma) patients in the future.

Coexistence of AA and AL Cardiac Amyloidosis in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis Accompanying Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

Amyloidosis is a clinical disorder caused by extracellular deposition of proteinaceous insoluble fibrils in various tissues, resulting in organ compromise. Amyloid L (AL) amyloidosis is the most common type of systemic amyloidosis, which occurs in association with multiple myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Secondary amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is a complication of chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. We report a case of a 49-year-old manwith a 11-year history of ankylosing spondylitis, who was recently diagnosed with MGUS presented with cardiac amyloidosis of both the AA and AL types. We report this case along with a review of relevant literature.

Genetic evolution and heterogeneity of multiple myeloma: a report from the 2013 EHA annual meeting / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Recent studies have shown that multiple myeloma (MM) is preceded by a premalignant state called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM).Some of the genetic changes of MM are also present in MGUS and SMM,including chromosomal translocations,copy number changes,somatic mutations and so on.This article discusses the genetic heterogeneity.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case and literature review / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To better understand the clinical features and the diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods A case of MGUS with SLE were described including clinical manifestations and pathologic data.Literatures were also reviewed.Results The patient was admitted because of proteinuria.Laboratory findings showed monoclonal gammopathy.However,both bone marrow exam and iconography showed no signs of multiple myeloma.Lupus nephritis Ⅳ + Ⅴ was proved by kidney biopsy.Prednisone and tacrolimus were used with significant clinical improvement.Conclusion MGUS associated with SLE is not rare.MGUS criteria based on 2003 international MM working group should be used to differentiate MGUS from MM.Monoclonal protein level,plasma cell in bone marrow and free light chain are risk factors for MM progression.Treatment is based on lupus disease activity and organ damage severity.

Associação entre gamopatia monoclonal de significado indeterminado e hiperparatireoidismo primário no diagnóstico diferencial das hipercalcemias - Relato de caso / Unknown significance monoclonal gammopathy (USMG) and primary hyperparathyroidism (PH) on diferential diagnosis of hypercalcemia - Case report

A gamopatia monoclonal de significado indeterminado (GMSI) é uma doença pré-maligna rara assintomática, definida por uma concentração de imunoglobulina monoclonal no soro menor que 3 g/dL e uma proporção de células plasmocitárias na medula óssea menor que 10%, na ausência de lesões líticas ósseas, anemia, hipercalcemia e insuficiência renal relacionadas com a proliferação de células plasmáticas monoclonais. O hiperparatireoidismo primário (HP) é uma doença relativamente frequente, afetando aproximadamente um em cada 1000 indivíduos. Alguns trabalhos sugerem que a frequência de HP está aumentada em neoplasias, ampliando o espectro da etiologia da hipercalcemia nesses pacientes. Relata-se, aqui, um caso de paciente de 63 anos admitido para investigação de anemia, parestesias e dores em membros inferiores, além de insuficiência renal. Durante investigação, verificou-se hipercalcemia, pico monoclonal sérico de IgA/lambda, sem critérios para mieloma múltiplo, e adenoma de paratireoide. O mesmo foi submetido à paratireoidectomia, cujo anatomopatológico revelou adenoma de paratireoide. Após a cirurgia, houve retorno dos níveis de cálcio e de função renal ao normal.

The monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (USMG) is a pre-malignant rare asymptomatic disease, defined by a concentration of immunoglobulin in serum monoclonal more than 3 g/dL and a proportion of plasma cells in bone marrow more than 10% in the absence of lytic bone lesions, anemia, hypercalcemia and renal failure related to monoclonal cell proliferation. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PH) is a relatively frequent disease, affecting approximately one in 1,000 individuals. Some studies suggest that the frequency of PH is increased in cancer, broadening the spectrum of etiology of hypercalcemia in these patients. We report here a case of a 63 years-old patient admitted for investigation of anemia, paresthesias, pain in the lower limbs and kidney failure. During investigation, there was hypercalcemia, serum monoclonal peak of IgA/lambda without criteria for multiple myeloma and with parathyroid adenoma. Patient was submitted to parathyroidectomy, which anatomicopathological revealed parathyroid adenoma. After surgery, levels of calcium and kidney function returned to normal.

Researche progress on monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and asymptomatic multiple myeloma / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Nowadays there is still an insufficient understanding of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance(MGUS) and asymptomatic multiple myeloma,which are considered as multiple myeloma (MM) precursor diseases. In this review, the advances in diagnosis, risk-stratification as well as views on the treatment of the two diseases were presented.

Concurrence of Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis and AL Amyloidosis Associated with Monoclonal Gammopathy / 대한신장학회지

Renal diseases with organized deposits include amyloid, fibrillary, immunotactoid, and cryoglobulinemic glomerulopathies. AL amyloidosis and fibrillary glomerulonephritis are different in the composition of their immunoglobulin deposits. Fibrils of fibrillary glomerulonephritis are usually composed of polyclonal, occasionally oligoclonal or monoclonal, immunoglobin G, but amyloidosis consists of monoclonal light chains. Simultaneous occurrence of fibrillary glomerulonephritis and AL amyloidosis is very rare. We report a case of fibrillary glomerulonephritis combined with AL amyloidosis in a 71-yr-old man.

Aspergillus fumigatus Scleritis Associated with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

A 68-year-old woman presented with pain in her left eye. Necrosis with calcium plaques was observed on the medial part of the sclera. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the culture of the necrotic area. On systemic work-up including serum and urine electrophoresis studies, the serum monoclonal protein of immunoglobulin G was detected. The patient was diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and fungal scleritis. Despite intensive treatment with topical and oral antifungal agents, scleral inflammation and ulceration progressed, and scleral perforation and endophthalmitis developed. Debridement, antifungal irrigation, and tectonic scleral grafting were performed. The patient underwent a combined pars plana vitrectomy with an intravitreal injection of an antifungal agent. However, scleral and intraocular inflammation progressed, and the eye was enucleated. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the cultures of the eviscerated materials. Giemsa staining of the excised sclera showed numerous fungal hyphae.

The Association between Multiple Myeloma and Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Report of Two Cases / 대한혈액학회지

Multiple myeloma is a malignant disease of plasma cells, whereas ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of axial joints. The relationship between the two diseases is uncertain, but chronic inflammation could trigger multiple myeloma. The authors report the cases of two ankylosing spondylitis patients with a disease duration of more than 20 years, that subsequently developed IgA kappa and IgG lambda chain myeloma, respectively, and discuss the possible pathogenetic relationship between these diseases.