Hypergammaglobulinemia is characterized by high levels of gammaglobulin and it can be activated by B-cell stimulation (polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia) or by monoclonal proliferation (Paraproteinemia).

Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia: stimulation of many B-cell clones, produces a broad spectrum of antibodies. Gamma-globulin band appears large on electrophoresis.

Clinical conditions: acute and chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, chronic liver disease.

Monoclonal hypergammaglobulinemia: proliferation of a single clone of B cells producing a single type of Ig. Appears as a separate dense band (paraprotein or M-band) on electrophoresis. Paraproteins are characteristic of malignant B-cell proliferation.

 Clinical Condition: multiple myeloma.