heavy chain disease

ABBR: HCD Any of several abnormalities of immunoglobulins in which excessive quantities of alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon, or mu chains are produced. The immunoglobulins formed are incomplete, causing, in some cases, distinct clinical signs and symptoms including weakness, recurrent fever, susceptibility to bacterial infections, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, nephrotic syndrome and renal failure, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and eosinophilia. The disease may be diagnosed with immunoelectrophoresis or biopsy of affected organs.

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