Amyloidosis AA

Other Names: Amyloid A amyloidosis; AA Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases in which a protein, called amyloid, builds up in the body's organs and tissues. Amyloidosis AA is also referred to as Secondary amyloidosis or Inflammatory amyloidosis. In this disease, part of the SAA protein forms deposits called "amyloid fibrils". These desposits occur in the space around the cells of certain tissues of the body. Amyloidosis AA usually begins as a disease in the kidneys, but other organs can be affected such as the liver and spleen.

Cause

This disease is caused by a long-lasting infection or inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, familial Mediterranean fever, or osteomyelitis. Infection or inflammation in the body causes an increased amount of a specific protein called serum amyloid A (SAA) protein.

Treatment

In amyloidosis AA, the treatment depends on the underlying disease. It is important to control the chronic infection or inflammatory disease which is responsible for the amyloid. Both surgery and medication can be used to achieve successful treatment outcomes for patients. Kidney transplant is an important option in patients with amyloidosis AA in which stable control of the underlying disease has been achieved. However, appropriate patient selection is strongly recommended due to a higher incidence of heart failure and infections in AA individuals.

(www.AmyloidAware.com ) Booklet and explanatory video explaining the difference between the types of amyloidosis. Written by doctors at Mayo Clinic, Boston University, Indiana University and others

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Amyloidosis AA

Amyloidosis AA is a rare disease.