Monoclonal gammopathy in a Dutch warmblood mare.

This study presents the case of a 15-year-old mare with lethargy and severe anaemia, diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy, suggested as plasma cell myeloma based on the detection of monoclonal immunoglobulin in serum and urine and the presence of abnormal cells in the bone marrow and spleen.

Introduction

• The research focuses on a 15-year-old mare of the Dutch Warmblood breed, with symptoms of lethargy present for several weeks and severe anaemia.
• The study was motivated by the unusual manifestation of these symptoms, leading the veterinary team to conduct a series of diagnostic tests.

Findings

• Upon presentation, the main concern was the high total protein detected. Serum electrophoresis further revealed a monoclonal peak in the alpha-2 region, indicating the presence of monoclonal gammopathy or too many of one type of immunoglobulin.
• Further investigation via immuno-electrophoresis in serum and urine successfully detected a monoclonal immunoglobulin, specifically IgG(T).

Postmortem Examination

• The initial investigations culminated in a postmortem examination.
• The examination showed a relatively large number of plasmacytoid cells in the bone marrow and what was described as a monotonous population of plasmacytoid cells in the spleen.

Conclusions

• The study concludes that, based on these findings, there is a significant suggestion towards plasma cell myeloma, a condition where the body makes too many plasma cells.
• This case report provides a significant diagnostic reference for equine veterinarians. It is a considerable contribution in the rare studies involving the occurrence of plasma cell myeloma in horses.