Familial Mediterranean fever gene as a possible modifier of Sweet syndrome with chronic myelogenous leukemia
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Published on: February 21, 2018
Takashi Miyoshi1, Kouhei Yamashita, Tatsuharu Ohno
1Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Abstract:
Sweet syndrome is a multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by acute fever, as well as painful erythematous plaques infiltrated with mature neutrophils in the absence of vasculitis. The pathogenesis of the disease has not yet been clarified, although several proinflammatory cytokines have been reported to be involved in the disease process. We describe here a patient clinically diagnosed with Sweet syndrome with chronic myelogenous leukemia. The mutational analysis of the patient revealed a compound heterozygous E148Q/R202Q mutation in exon 2 of MEFV gene, which is a causative gene for familial Mediterranean fever. This is the first report to describe MEFV gene mutations in Sweet syndrome. Our results suggest that Sweet syndrome may be mediated though similar inflammatory mechanisms to those of familial Mediterranean fever.
Insights
Sweet syndrome, a rare inflammatory disorder, may be linked to mutations in the MEFV gene, commonly associated with familial Mediterranean fever. This finding suggests shared inflammatory pathways between these distinct conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Sweet syndrome is a rare, acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis with unclear pathogenesis.
- Proinflammatory cytokines are implicated, but specific genetic links remain largely unexplored.
Observation:
- A patient with Sweet syndrome and chronic myelogenous leukemia was analyzed.
- Genetic testing revealed compound heterozygous mutations (E148Q/R202Q) in exon 2 of the MEFV gene.
Findings:
- This is the first documented instance of MEFV gene mutations in a patient with Sweet syndrome.
- The identified MEFV mutations are known to cause familial Mediterranean fever.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a potential genetic predisposition or shared inflammatory mechanisms between Sweet syndrome and familial Mediterranean fever.
- Further research into MEFV gene involvement could elucidate Sweet syndrome pathogenesis and inform therapeutic strategies.
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