Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 11, 2026

Detection of Anti-MDA5 Autoantibodies Using HeLa Cells and Immunocytochemistry with Light Microscopy
10:55

Detection of Anti-MDA5 Autoantibodies Using HeLa Cells and Immunocytochemistry with Light Microscopy

Published on: October 31, 2025

958

Childhood macrophagic myofasciitis: A series from the Indian subcontinent

Aanchal Kakkar1, Madhu Rajeshwari1, Aasma Nalwa1

  • 1Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India.

Muscle & Nerve
|November 19, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) is a rare pediatric inflammatory myopathy. This study identifies 6 cases in Indian children presenting with hypotonia and motor delay, associated with hepatitis B vaccination.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) is a rare inflammatory myopathy primarily reported in European adults.
  • Occasional childhood cases have been documented, but pediatric MMF remains infrequently described.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a series of pediatric Macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) cases from the Indian subcontinent.
  • To describe the clinical, histopathological, and ultrastructural features of these cases.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 6 pediatric patients diagnosed with MMF from muscle biopsies.
  • Evaluation included hematoxylin-eosin staining, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy.
  • Clinical data, creatine kinase levels, and electromyography results were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Six pediatric MMF cases were identified among 2,218 muscle biopsies.
  • All patients presented with hypotonia and/or motor delay, with a mean age at diagnosis of 16.2 months.
  • Histopathology showed infiltration by periodic acid-Schiff stain-positive histiocytes with needle-shaped crystals on ultrastructural examination; all patients had a history of hepatitis B vaccination.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) is a rare inflammatory myopathy that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of congenital myopathies in children.
  • This study expands the geographic reporting of pediatric MMF to the Indian subcontinent.
  • The findings highlight the association with hepatitis B vaccination in pediatric MMF cases.
Keywords:
aluminumcongenital myopathyelectron microscopyhypotoniamitochondrial myopathymotor delay

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
664
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
398
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
1.4K
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
524
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
717