HIV and serum protein electrophoresis patterns in KwaZulu-Natal: a retrospective study

Objective. To describe the effect of HIV serostatus on serum proteins, serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) patterns and monoclonal bands. Setting. Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban. Design. Retrospective, anonymous analysis of routine laboratory results. Results. Monoclonal bands were not increased in HIV-positive patients, who were younger and had increased polyclonal and oligoclonal bands and total proteins when compared with HIV-negative patients.