SUMMARY Three hundred and thirty-four monoclonal gammopathies were detected in the sera of 30 279 adults from Finistere.Monoclonal gammopathies (MG) are more common in Finistere than in Paris and their distribution is not homogeneous. IgG paraproteins are particularly common in the northeast of Finistere whereas IgM paraproteins are more common in the southwest. Family studies and the high degree of inbreeding would support the hypothesis that there is a genetic predisposition to develop MG but the occurrence of paraproteins among three non-consanguineous couples seems to favour the existence of an environmental factor.

Prevention of post-transfusion malaria remains a worrying problem. Until now it was very difficult to obtain homologous antigens, and immunologic methods used to detect malaria were expensive. We tested the ready-to-use Plasmodium falciparum prepared slides using the IFA (indirect fluorescent antibody) test on 866 selected potentially dangerous donors and known malaria cases. We found that it is a simple, quick, reliable and inexpensive method that can be easily used by blood banks and improve blood transfusion safety.

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