n. inflammation of the membranes that line the chest, abdomen, and joints, with accumulation of fluid in the cavities. Commonly the condition is inherited and intermittent and is termed familial Mediterranean fever. If complicated by infiltration of major organs by a glycoprotein (see amyloidosis) the disease usually proves fatal. Regular administration of colchicine will prevent the attacks in 95% of patients.
n. infiltration of the liver, kidneys, spleen, and other tissues with amyloid, a starchlike substance. In primary amyloidosis the disorder arises without any apparent cause; secondary amyloidosis occurs as a late complication of such chronic infections as tuberculosis or leprosy and also in *Hodgkin’s disease. Amyloidosis is also very common in the genetic disease familial Mediterranean fever (see polyserositis).... amyloidosis
n. a drug obtained from the meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale), used to relieve pain in attacks of gout and in the prevention of attacks of gout and hereditary *polyserositis. Common side-effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pains.... colchicine
a group of rare inherited disorders characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and inflammation in the absence of infection. They include familial Mediterranean fever (see polyserositis), tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), and the cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS). Causative gene mutations have been identified.... hereditary periodic fever syndromes
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