To the Editor:Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of fever accompanied by sterile peritonitis, arthritis, pleuritis, and a typical inflammatory rash termed erysipelas-like erythema. The development of renal amyloidosis type AA is the most devastating manifestation of the disease, and prior to colchicine treatment was a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The disease is very prevalent among North African and Iraqi Jews, Middle Eastern Arabs, Turks, and Armenians, but rare in other populations. FMF is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene, which is composed of 10 exons and encodes a protein of 781 ammo acids.
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