| Title | Fatal Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: the lupus connection. | | Author(s) | Quintás-Cardama A, Fraga M, Cozzi SN, Caparrini A, Maceiras F, Forteza J | | Institution | Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Building #1, Room 3N21, 1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. trexzip1970@hotmail.com | | Source | Ann Hematol 2003 Mar; 82(3):186-8. | | MeSH | Adult
Autoimmunity
Axilla
B-Lymphocytes
Biopsy
Comparative Study
Fatal Outcome
Female
Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Lymph Nodes
Spleen
T-Lymphocytes
| | Abstract | Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis found mainly in young women. Patients typically present with cervical lymphadenopathy and fever and follow almost always a benign course with excellent outcomes. The etiology of KFD remains unknown and controversial although several viruses have been associated with this disease. One theory proposes that KFD may be a self-limiting form of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This theory is strongly supported by the fact that microscopic features of KFD can be very similar to those found in lupus lymphadenitis. Despite its usually benign course, several cases with fatal outcomes have been reported. We report here a case of clinically aggressive KFD, which featured several autoimmune-related events and resulted in a fatal outcome. Autopsy studies showed characteristic findings of SLE, which suggests a remarkable link between SLE and KFD. Early and intensive immunosuppressive treatment may be the only option for patients who develop very aggressive forms of KFD in order to avoid a fatal outcome. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Case Reports
Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 12634955 |
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