[ Profils oligoclonaux à l’immunofixation des protéines sériques: Caractéristiques électrophorétiques, étiologies et interprétation biologique (à propos de 22 cas) ]
Manzama-Esso Kassang Konzi1, Asmaa Morjan2, and Youssef Bamou3
1 Mohammed VI National Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Casablanca, Morocco
2 Mohammed VI National Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Casablanca, Morocco
3 Mohammed VI National Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Casablanca, Morocco
Original language: French
Copyright © 2026 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Introduction: An oligoclonal pattern on serum immunofixation electrophoresis (SIFE), is defined by the presence of more than two monoclonal bands on the gel. It results from the proliferation of small clones of plasma cells within the bone marrow. Material and methods: It is a retrospective study from July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, analyzing results of SIFE performed on Hydrasis Sebia at Mohammed VI National Laboratory. When serum capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was also present, abnormalities were noted. Results: The study found 22 cases of oligoclonal pattern. Majority of patients are older than 50 years old (72,5%). Most frequent isotype is IgG associated with light kappa and lambda chains (55%). Corresponding serum CZE all included an abnormality in the gamma globulin area. Discussion: An oligoclonal pattern or profile results from the proliferation of small plasma cells clones. These abnormalities are common in elderly subjects due to the immune system’s impairment. The detection of oligoclonal bands is easy but must remain precautious. Etiologies associated with such profiles include autoimmune, infectious diseases or malignant pathologies (lymphomas, plasma cells leukemia). A contributive interpretation could include a detailed report of the bands found on the gel in order to allow the detection of any ulterior modification of the clonality. Conclusion: An appropriate interpretation of an oligoclonal profile can only be done according to patient’s clinical history. It is recommended to repeat the SIFE to allow an early diagnosis of any monoclonal gammopathy.
Author Keywords: serum immunofixation, oligoclonal bands, gammopathy, electrophoresis.
Manzama-Esso Kassang Konzi1, Asmaa Morjan2, and Youssef Bamou3
1 Mohammed VI National Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Casablanca, Morocco
2 Mohammed VI National Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Casablanca, Morocco
3 Mohammed VI National Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Casablanca, Morocco
Original language: French
Copyright © 2026 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Introduction: An oligoclonal pattern on serum immunofixation electrophoresis (SIFE), is defined by the presence of more than two monoclonal bands on the gel. It results from the proliferation of small clones of plasma cells within the bone marrow. Material and methods: It is a retrospective study from July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, analyzing results of SIFE performed on Hydrasis Sebia at Mohammed VI National Laboratory. When serum capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was also present, abnormalities were noted. Results: The study found 22 cases of oligoclonal pattern. Majority of patients are older than 50 years old (72,5%). Most frequent isotype is IgG associated with light kappa and lambda chains (55%). Corresponding serum CZE all included an abnormality in the gamma globulin area. Discussion: An oligoclonal pattern or profile results from the proliferation of small plasma cells clones. These abnormalities are common in elderly subjects due to the immune system’s impairment. The detection of oligoclonal bands is easy but must remain precautious. Etiologies associated with such profiles include autoimmune, infectious diseases or malignant pathologies (lymphomas, plasma cells leukemia). A contributive interpretation could include a detailed report of the bands found on the gel in order to allow the detection of any ulterior modification of the clonality. Conclusion: An appropriate interpretation of an oligoclonal profile can only be done according to patient’s clinical history. It is recommended to repeat the SIFE to allow an early diagnosis of any monoclonal gammopathy.
Author Keywords: serum immunofixation, oligoclonal bands, gammopathy, electrophoresis.
Abstract: (french)
Introduction: Un profil oligoclonal sur une immunofixation sérique est défini par la présence de plus de deux bandes monoclonales sur le gel. Il correspond à la prolifération de plusieurs clones plasmocytaires au sein de la moelle osseuse. Matériel et méthodes: Il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective étalée allant du 1er juillet 2024 au 31 juillet 2025, qui analyse les résultats d’immunofixations sériques reçus au Laboratoire National Mohammed VI, réalisés sur l’automate Hydrasys Sebia®. Lorsqu’une électrophorèse capillaire des protéines était présente, les anomalies présentes ont été relevées. Résultats: Il a été colligé 22 cas de profils oligoclonaux. La majorité des patients concernés (72,5%) ont plus de 50 ans. L’isotype le plus représenté est l’IgG associée à des chaines légères kappa et lambda (55%). Les électrophorèses correspondantes comportaient toutes une anomalie dans la zone des gammaglobulines. Discussion: Un profil oligoclonal correspond à une prolifération anormale de plusieurs clones plasmocytaires dans la moelle osseuse. Ces anomalies sont fréquentes chez les sujets âgés à cause de l’altération du système immunitaire. La détection des bandes d’un profil oligoclonal est aisée mais doit être minutieuse. Les étiologies associées au profil oligoclonal incluent des maladies auto-immunes ou infectieuses et des pathologies malignes (lymphomes, leucémies à plasmocytes). Une interprétation contributive pourrait comporter un compte rendu détaillé des bandes retrouvées sur le gel afin de détecter toute évolutivité de la clonalité. Conclusion: La lecture pertinente d’un profil oligoclonal ne peut se faire que selon le contexte clinique. Il est recommandé de répéter l’examen afin de permettre un diagnostic précoce d’une gammapathie monoclonale.
Author Keywords: immunofixation sérique, bandes oligoclonales, gammapathie, électrophorèse.
