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What Causes Amyloidosis Even After Taking A Rabies Vaccine?
Question: Hello,
I'm aware that there is a body of research dating back decades indicating that hyperimmunization of animals has been known to induce amyloidosis, and even some research showing that hyperimmunization of humans with multiple vaccines decades ago has been known to cause monoclonal gammopathies.
Due to multiple possible exposures to bats over the past 8 years, I have had a total of 18 1ml doses of the rabies vaccine. The vaccines used have been both the human diploid cell variety as well as the purified chick embryo cell variety. Would a history of hyperimmunization like mine with modern cell cuture rabies vaccines be a significant risk factor for developing AL amyloidosis?
I have a few symptoms of AL amyloidosis (petechiae and tingling of the fingers) and while my serum and urine electrophoresis and immunofixation studies were normal, I had a slightly elevated kappa/lambda ratio due to a low level of lambda (see below):
Free Kappa Lt Chains,S 9.24 mg/L 3.30 - 19.40 01
Free Lambda Lt Chains,S 3.66 mg/L Low 5.71 - 26.30 01
Kappa/Lambda Ratio,S 2.52 High 0.26 - 1.65
My hematologist does not seem overly concerned about these serum free light chain results, but given my history of immunization I'm very worried that I have vaccinated myself into AL amyloidosis. Does this sound likely? Thank you.
I'm aware that there is a body of research dating back decades indicating that hyperimmunization of animals has been known to induce amyloidosis, and even some research showing that hyperimmunization of humans with multiple vaccines decades ago has been known to cause monoclonal gammopathies.
Due to multiple possible exposures to bats over the past 8 years, I have had a total of 18 1ml doses of the rabies vaccine. The vaccines used have been both the human diploid cell variety as well as the purified chick embryo cell variety. Would a history of hyperimmunization like mine with modern cell cuture rabies vaccines be a significant risk factor for developing AL amyloidosis?
I have a few symptoms of AL amyloidosis (petechiae and tingling of the fingers) and while my serum and urine electrophoresis and immunofixation studies were normal, I had a slightly elevated kappa/lambda ratio due to a low level of lambda (see below):
Free Kappa Lt Chains,S 9.24 mg/L 3.30 - 19.40 01
Free Lambda Lt Chains,S 3.66 mg/L Low 5.71 - 26.30 01
Kappa/Lambda Ratio,S 2.52 High 0.26 - 1.65
My hematologist does not seem overly concerned about these serum free light chain results, but given my history of immunization I'm very worried that I have vaccinated myself into AL amyloidosis. Does this sound likely? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
No need to worry much for amyloidosis.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
No need to worry for amyloidois.
You are not at risk as your reports are not suggestive of amyloidosis.
So dont panic about it.
Get done Vitamin B12 level because deficiency of this can cause similar kind of tingling in the fingers.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
No need to worry much for amyloidosis.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
No need to worry for amyloidois.
You are not at risk as your reports are not suggestive of amyloidosis.
So dont panic about it.
Get done Vitamin B12 level because deficiency of this can cause similar kind of tingling in the fingers.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. for your response. Could you please tell me what it is about my lab results points away from AL amyloidosis? I was under the impression that my serum free light chain test results were consistent with AL amyloidosis.
Also, even if I do not currently have AL amyloidosis (I sure hope I don't!) is a history like mine of hyperimmunization with modern cell culture rabies vaccines likely to induce AL amyloidosis in the future?
Thank you!
Also, even if I do not currently have AL amyloidosis (I sure hope I don't!) is a history like mine of hyperimmunization with modern cell culture rabies vaccines likely to induce AL amyloidosis in the future?
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Negative electrophoresis is suggestive of absence of amyloidosis in you.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Since your serum and urine electrophoresis and immunofixation studies were normal, no need to worry for amyloidosis. These tests are more confirmatory for amyloidosis a compare to free light chains. Since they are negative,no need to worry for amyloidosis.
And also dont worry for frequent rabies vaccination in the past. I dont think you will develop amyloidosis in the future also.
Hope I have solve your query. If you are not having further queries,then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Negative electrophoresis is suggestive of absence of amyloidosis in you.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Since your serum and urine electrophoresis and immunofixation studies were normal, no need to worry for amyloidosis. These tests are more confirmatory for amyloidosis a compare to free light chains. Since they are negative,no need to worry for amyloidosis.
And also dont worry for frequent rabies vaccination in the past. I dont think you will develop amyloidosis in the future also.
Hope I have solve your query. If you are not having further queries,then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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