Multiple myeloma with Echinococcus granulosus infection diagnosed by detection of oligoclonal bands: A case report

RATIONALE: Isoelectric focusing electrophoresis (IFE) is currently recognized as the gold standard for detecting oligoclonal bands (OCBs) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). To the best of our knowledge, however, no study has reported on type III OCBs using IFE. In this paper, we report on a rare case of multiple myeloma (MM) with Echinococcus granulosus infection diagnosed by IFE. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 71-year-old man complained of weakness of the right lower extremity accompanied with fever (temperature range 37.8°C–38.2°C) for more than 6 months. DIAGNOSES: MM with E granulosus infection. INTERVENTIONS: The IFE results identified a unique monoclonal band, indicating that the patient may have MM in conjunction with a distinct pathogen infection. He received anthelmintic treatment and bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone therapy. OUTCOMES: The patient was followed up for 15 months. During that time, his temperature returned to normal, his Medical Research Council Grading of Muscle Power scale became 5, and his vital signs stabilized. LESSONS: Detection of OCB type III indicated that the patient was diagnosed with MM accompanied by E granulosus infection. Thus, IFE of CSF may be an auxiliary diagnostic method for MM in the future.