A patient is assessed for B-cell clonality by examining the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements using PCR with primers complementary to the variable and joining regions of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. When the products are resolved by gel electrophoresis, the patient lane has a smear and does not have a sharp band. Controls were all acceptable. This result is interpreted as which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A smear pattern on the gel suggests the patient does not have a dominant B-cell clone and instead has a polyclonal immune response, with a mixture of B cells producing different immunoglobulin heavy chains. This can occur in healthy individuals as well as those with certain autoimmune or infectious diseases.

A Patient Is Assessed for B-Cell Clonality by Examining the Immunoglobulin