Aseptic Μeningitis in Hereditary Autoinflammatory Diseases

Antonis Neokleous1, Savvas Psarelis2, Konstantinos M Parperis1,3

  • 1Internal Medicine, University of Cyprus Medical School, Nicosia, CYP.

Cureus
|August 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Autoinflammatory diseases (ADs) can cause aseptic meningitis, a rare neurological issue. This review covers the link between ADs like FMF and CINCA syndrome and aseptic meningitis, exploring cytokine roles and new biologic treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neurology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Autoinflammatory diseases (ADs) are innate immune system disorders causing systemic inflammation.
  • Aseptic meningitis is a rare neurological complication of ADs, mimicking bacterial meningitis without infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the association between aseptic meningitis and ADs.
  • To focus on familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and chronic infantile neurological cutaneous articular (CINCA) syndrome.
  • To discuss the role of cytokines and emerging biologic treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on aseptic meningitis in ADs.
  • Analysis of the role of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α).
  • Exploration of current and novel therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Aseptic meningitis is a recognized, albeit rare, neurological manifestation in specific ADs.
  • Proinflammatory cytokines are implicated in the pathogenesis of aseptic meningitis within ADs.
  • Biological agents targeting cytokines show promise in managing these conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Aseptic meningitis requires consideration in AD patients presenting with neurological symptoms.
  • Understanding cytokine pathways is crucial for diagnosing and treating aseptic meningitis in ADs.
  • Targeted biologic therapies offer new hope for managing aseptic meningitis associated with ADs.

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