ABSTRACT
Infections play an important role in the morbidity and mortality associated with myeloma. The predominant pathogens isolated from patients with myeloma are bacterial, which reflects the defect in humoral immunity seen in this condition. The principal immune deficits associated with infection are a reduction in polyclonal immunoglobulin synthesis and a failure to make appropriate antibody responses post immunization. The timing of serious infection varies with the phase of disease. Preliminary studies show that antimicrobial prophylaxis significantly reduces the rate of serious infection in the initial phase of disease. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy is effective as primary infection prophylaxis in the stable phase of disease.
