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Query: UMLS:C0730345 (microalbuminuria)
 4,018 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Familial Mediterranean fever is characterised by recurrent and self limited attacks of fever and polyserositis and its devastating complication is the development of renal amyloidosis. In order to detect the presence of early glomerular and tubular damage in patients with familial Mediterranean fever and to assess the possible role of beta 2-microglobulin in the inflammatory attacks of this disease, serum and urine beta 2-microglobulin concentrations and microalbuminuria were evaluated in these patients. A total of 20 patients with familial Mediterranean fever were studied on and off colchicine treatment; seven of these patients developed a familial Mediterranean fever attack when they were off treatment. During the familial Mediterranean fever attacks serum beta 2-microglobulin concentrations decreased, whereas fractional excretion of beta 2-microglobulin, urine beta 2-microglobulin creatinine, and urine albumin/creatinine ratios increased. We conclude that glomerular and tubular functions deteriorate during the attacks. Further studies are needed to discover the effector(s) causing these transient glomerular and tubular disorders.
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PMID:Serum concentration and urinary excretion of beta 2-microglobulin and microalbuminuria in familial Mediterranean fever. 811 3

Amyloidosis is a pathological process which encompasses a spectrum of diseases that result from extracellular deposition of pathological fibrillar proteins. Clinical presentations vary depending on the organs involved. There is no documented case of amyloidosis presenting as small bowel encapsulation. A previously healthy 62-year-old man developed a small bowel obstruction in 1997. At surgery, a peculiar membrane encasing his entire small bowel was discovered. This appeared to have no vascularity and was removed without difficulty, exposing a grossly normal bowel. Histopathology revealed thick bands of collagen overlying the peritoneal surface, which was congo red positive and showed apple green birefringence. The findings were consistent with encapsulating peritonitis due to amyloidosis. There was no history or symptoms of any chronic inflammatory condition and he became symptom-free postoperatively. An abdominal fat pad biopsy failed to demonstrate amyloidosis. Endoscopic duodenal biopsies revealed classical primary amyloidosis. Quantitative immunoglobulins, lactate dehydrogenase, C3, C4 and beta-2 microglobulin were normal. Protein electrophoresis identified monoclonal paraprotein, immunoglobulin G lambda 3.7 g/L. Bone marrow biopsy and aspirate revealed only a mild plasmacytosis (5% to 10%). Echocardiogram and skeletal survey were normal. He had mild proteinuria. Complete blood count, C-reactive protein, calcium, albumin and total protein were normal. No specific therapy was instituted. In January of 1998 the patient remained asymptomatic with no gastrointestinal, cardiovascular or constitutional symptoms. He had developed nephrotic range proteinuria (3.95 g/24 h), microalbuminuria, hypoalbuminemia and a renal biopsy consistent with renal amyloidosis. In 1999 there was an increase in the monoclonal paraprotein (6.2 g/L). The remaining investigations were normal except for an echocardiogram which showed left ventricular hypertrophy but a normal ejection fraction and no diastolic dysfunction. He went on to have high-dose chemotherapy and an autologous stem cell transplant in September, 2000. He has subsequently developed renal insufficiency. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of primary amyloidosis presenting as small bowel obstruction from encapsulating peritonitis.
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PMID:Primary amyloidosis presenting as small bowel encapsulation. 1505 90

Amyloidosis is a disorder characterized by the deposition of abnormal protein fibrils in tissues. Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2-associated amyloidosis is a recently recognized entity and is characterized by a distinctive clinicopathologic type of amyloid deposition manifested in adults by varying degrees of impaired kidney function and proteinuria. There are only a limited number of cases reported in the literature. We present a 64-year-old Hispanic female with a history of hypertension who was referred for chronic kidney disease management. The review of her laboratory tests revealed a serum creatinine of 1.5-1.8 mg/dL and microalbuminuria (in the presence of a bland urine sediment) in the past year. She denied any history of diabetes, rheumatologic disorders or exposure to intravenous contrast, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, herbals, and heavy metals. Serological workup was negative. A renal biopsy showed diffuse infiltration of glomerulus with pale eosinophilic material strongly positive for Congo red stain and a similar eosinophilic material in the interstitium, muscular arteries, and arterioles. Electron microscopy showed marked infiltration of the mesangium, capillary loops, and interstitium with haphazardly arranged fibrillary deposits (9.8 nm thick). Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry confirmed leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) amyloid deposition. LECT2 amyloidosis (ALECT2) should be suspected in renal biopsy specimens exhibiting extensive and strong mesangial as well as interstitial congophilia. Individuals with LECT2 renal amyloidosis have a varying prognosis. Therapeutic options include supportive measures and consideration of a kidney transplant for those with end-stage renal disease.
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PMID:Leukocyte Cell-Derived Chemotaxin 2-Associated Renal Amyloidosis: A Case Report. 2946 79