Open AccessInfections and AA amyloidosis: An overview
Author(s) -
Deshayes Samuel,
Aouba Achille,
Grateau Gilles,
GeorginLavialle Sophie
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/ijcp.13966
Subject(s) - amyloidosis , medicine , serum amyloid a , aa amyloidosis , amyloid (mycology) , etiology , serum amyloid a protein , antibiotics , amyloid fibril , immunology , pathology , inflammation , familial mediterranean fever , disease , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , amyloid β
Background Amyloidoses are a heterogeneous group of systemic diseases characterised by extracellular accumulation of insoluble amyloid fibrils derived from unfolded proteins. Inflammatory (AA) amyloidosis can complicate various inflammatory disorders that are associated with a sustained acute phase response and serum amyloid A (SAA) protein overproduction. Chronic infections were the first recognised cause of amyloidoses. However, with the better management of underlying diseases, the frequency of AA amyloidosis is decreasing. Purpose The aim of this overview was to discuss the several infections associated with AA amyloidosis and the relative frequency of infections as aetiological factors. Methods A search of the literature was performed using the PubMed database using the MeSH terms “Amyloidosis” and “Infections,” from inception to December 31st, 2019. Articles written in other languages than English or French were excluded. Results The frequency of AA amyloidosis secondary to infections decreased from more than 50% to less than 20% after the 2000s, with a parallel increase in the frequency of AA amyloidosis secondary to inflammatory diseases and to an unknown cause. Conclusion Whereas new antibiotics have been developed and sanitary conditions are better, infections still represent 5%‐30% of the causes of AA amyloidosis, including in developed countries. These data argue for better screening of chronic infections to prevent AA amyloidosis and the development of new strategies to manage recurrent infections.