Coexistence of Takayasu's arteritis with familial Mediterranean fever

Rheumatol Int. 2012 Jun;32(6):1675-8. doi: 10.1007/s00296-011-1853-7. Epub 2011 Mar 18.

Abstract

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common autoinflammatory disease characterized by recurrent self-limited attacks of fever, accompanied with peritonitis, pleuritis or arthritis. It is well known that FMF may coexist with vasculitic pathologies, especially with those involving small and medium vessels. Among the vasculitic pathologies reported to be associated with FMF, Henoch-Schönlein purpura and polyarteritis nodosa come the first, possibly followed up by protracted febrile myalgia. However, coexistence of FMF with any large vessel vasculitis has not been reported to date. Here, we present a case with FMF who later developed Takayasu arteritis, with a severe disease course, being resistant to corticosteroids and conventional immunosuppressive agents, and requiring infliximab treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Colchicine / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / complications*
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / diagnosis
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / drug therapy
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infliximab
  • Male
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Takayasu Arteritis / complications*
  • Takayasu Arteritis / diagnosis
  • Takayasu Arteritis / drug therapy
  • Takayasu Arteritis / immunology
  • Treatment Failure
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab
  • Colchicine