Which pattern best describes the immediate/acute-phase response on electrophoresis?

• A. Decreased albumin with increased alpha-1 and alpha-2
• B. Increased albumin with decreased gamma
• C. Decreased gamma only
• D. Increased gamma with beta bridging

Answer: (A)

During an acute inflammatory response, the liver shifts toward producing positive acute-phase proteins (such as those in the alpha-1 and alpha-2 regions) and reduces synthesis of albumin, a negative acute-phase reactant. On electrophoresis this shows as a drop in the albumin band with corresponding increases in the alpha-1 and alpha-2 bands. Gamma globulins may rise later due to increasing antibody production, but the immediate pattern that characterizes acute-phase response is decreased albumin with increased alpha-1 and alpha-2. The other patterns either imply an albumin rise, focus on gamma changes, or describe beta–gamma bridging, which isn’t the typical early change.