What is the defining feature of polyclonal gammopathy on electrophoresis?

• A. All gamma fractions are increased
• B. Only one gamma fraction increased
• C. Gamma fractions decreased
• D. No change in gamma fractions

Answer: (A)

Polyclonal gammopathy reflects a broad activation of many B-cell clones, so multiple immunoglobulins rise together. On serum protein electrophoresis this appears as a diffuse, broad elevation in the gamma region rather than a single sharp spike. The option describing an increase across all gamma fractions best captures this pattern, since it shows a widespread rise rather than a constellation of isolated changes. In contrast, a single sharp band would indicate a monoclonal gammopathy, decreased gamma regions suggest hypogammaglobulinemia, and no change would be a normal pattern.