Beta-2-microglobulin-associated amyloidosis.
beta2-Microglobulin-associated amyloidosis has emerged as a major complication of long-term renal replacement therapy. The syndrome is confined to those patients on nontransplant modes of therapy. It does not occur in patients with a functioning renal transplant or, if already present, it does not progress any further in such patients. In the population of ESRD patients on dialysis, beta2-microglobulin-associated amyloidosis affects most patients treated for more than 15 years and is a cause of significant morbidity and in rare cases even mortality. The present review, which is based on the presentation of a typical case, discusses the current knowledge on the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, prevention and therapy of beta2-microglobulin-associated amyloidosis.
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Germany.
J
J
Floege
G
G
Ehlerding
D000682:Amyloid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010005:Osteoarthropathy, Secondary Hypertrophic / Q000378:metabolism; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014511:Uremia / Q000378:metabolism; D014965:X-Rays; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D000682:Amyloid; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin