Clustering of organ-specific autoimmunity: a case presentation of multiple sclerosis and connective tissue disorders.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease caused by an autoimmune inflammatory process in the central nervous system (CNS) and is associated with aberrant immune response to myelin selfantigens. Coexistence of MS with other autoimmune disorders, including connective tissue disorders including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and scleroderma have been reported previously. In the present article we report the coexistence of MS, familial mediterranean fever and ankylosing spondylitis in a patient and review the clinical presentation, neurologic findings, cerebrospinal fluid and radiologic characteristics and treatment options. We further discuss the immunopathogenetic mechanisms for a possible association between MS and autoimmune disorders.
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA. kale.nilufer@mayo.edu
Nilufer
N
Kale
Murat
M
Icen
Jale
J
Agaoglu
Isil
I
Yazici
Osman
O
Tanik
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020335:Paraparesis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017211:Treatment Failure
D016899:Interferon-beta; D008942:Mitoxantrone; D008775:Methylprednisolone