Which pattern on electrophoresis is most commonly seen with cirrhosis?

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Multiple Choice

Which pattern on electrophoresis is most commonly seen with cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis often causes a polyclonal increase in immunoglobulins, which broadens the gamma region on serum protein electrophoresis and can extend into the beta region, creating a visible beta-gamma bridge. This beta-gamma bridging is the classic pattern of increased immunoglobulins in chronic liver disease, reflecting immune activation and reduced clearance. Increased albumin would not occur here because the liver’s synthetic output for albumin drops in cirrhosis. An isolated gamma spike points to a monoclonal gammopathy rather than the polyclonal rise seen with cirrhosis, and a prominent alpha-1 peak is more typical of an acute-phase response rather than chronic liver disease.

Cirrhosis often causes a polyclonal increase in immunoglobulins, which broadens the gamma region on serum protein electrophoresis and can extend into the beta region, creating a visible beta-gamma bridge. This beta-gamma bridging is the classic pattern of increased immunoglobulins in chronic liver disease, reflecting immune activation and reduced clearance. Increased albumin would not occur here because the liver’s synthetic output for albumin drops in cirrhosis. An isolated gamma spike points to a monoclonal gammopathy rather than the polyclonal rise seen with cirrhosis, and a prominent alpha-1 peak is more typical of an acute-phase response rather than chronic liver disease.

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