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Preparation of Mouse Pituitary Immunogen for the Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Hypophysitis
Published on: December 17, 2010
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy type II in a Chinese patient.
C C Tsang1, G T C Ko, K K Wong
1Department of Medicine, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, 11 Chuen On Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong. pan078@netvigator.com
Hong Kong Medical Journal = Xianggang Yi Xue Za Zhi
|October 10, 2006
Summary
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy type II is a rare condition. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this potentially lethal autoimmune disorder.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Clinical Case Study
Background:
- Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy type II (APEC2) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of at least two of the following: autoimmune thyroid disease, primary adrenal insufficiency, and type 1 diabetes mellitus.
- APEC2 is infrequently reported in Asian populations, particularly in China.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old Chinese woman with a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism presented with pneumonia.
- During hospitalization, she experienced adrenal crisis and diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Further investigations revealed primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency, pernicious anemia, alopecia areata, and myasthenia gravis.
Findings:
- The patient's complex clinical presentation, involving multiple endocrine and non-endocrine autoimmune conditions, led to the diagnosis of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy type II.
- Hormonal testing confirmed both primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing APEC2 in Chinese patients, given its rarity and potentially fatal nature.
- Maintaining a high index of suspicion facilitates early diagnosis and timely initiation of appropriate replacement therapy, improving patient outcomes.
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