IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES IN FAMILIAL BETA 2-MACROGLOBULINAEMIAS

SummaryA familial occurrence of β 2 macroglobulinaemia has been found in 4 instances. The antigenic structure of the macroglobulins in members of a given family has been investigated with antisera specific to the patients' macroglobulins. In one family, the serum of the asymptomatic mother contained 2 distinct kinds of macroglobulins and each of her 2 sons (affected with Waldenstrom disease) had one of them and not the other. In 2 other families, the antigenic structure of the macroglobulin was different in each of the 2 relatives.