Original Articles
Vol. 18 No. 1 (2026): Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases
https://doi.org/10.4084/MJHID.2026.062

IMPACT OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE IMMUNOPARESIS ON EARLY INFECTION RISK IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Immunoparesis and early infection risk in myeloma

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Published: June 30, 2026
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Multiple Myeloma; Immunoparesis; Early infections; Immunoglobulin suppression

Authors

Hongfeng Wang
15181467414@163.com
The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China.
Jianbin Chen

Purpose

This study explores the impact of different immunoparesis states on early infection risk within six months of diagnosis in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients, aiming to inform clinical infection prevention strategies.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 213 newly diagnosed MM patients (2016-2024). Immunoparesis was classified qualitatively (no, partial, and full immunoparesis) and quantitatively (with immunoglobulin reduction <50% and ≥50%). Early infection rates and immunoparesis status were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Cox regression models were applied to evaluate the independent prognostic effect of immunoparesis on infection risk.

Results
Immunoparesis significantly increased the risk of early infections. In the qualitative analysis, infection rates were 15.8% for no immunoparesis, 53.1% for partial, and 53.8% for full immunoparesis (Log-rank P = 0.017). In the quantitative analysis, infection rates were 51.9% for <50% immunosuppression and 54.2% for ≥50% immunosuppression, compared to 15.8% for no immunoparesis(Log-rank P = 0.017). Cox regression analysis showed that partial and full immunoparesis increased infection risk by 8.9-fold (HR = 8.9, P = 0.004) and 7.8-fold (HR = 7.8, P = 0.006), respectively. Similarly, <50% and ≥50% immunosuppression increased infection risk by 8.67-fold (HR = 8.67, P = 0.005) and 7.95-fold (HR = 7.95, P = 0.005), respectively.

Conclusion
Immunoparesis significantly increases early infection risk in MM patients. However, the risk does not significantly rise with more immunoglobulin types suppressed or greater severity. Monitoring and timely intervention for immunoparesis are essential for infection prevention.

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Ethics Approval

Multiple Myeloma; Immunoparesis; Early infections; Immunoglobulin suppression

Supporting Agencies

The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University

How to Cite



“IMPACT OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE IMMUNOPARESIS ON EARLY INFECTION RISK IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED MULTIPLE MYELOMA: Immunoparesis and early infection risk in myeloma” (2026) Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, 18(1), p. e2026062. doi:10.4084/MJHID.2026.062.
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