Deutsch M, Tsopanou E, Dourakis SP. The autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (Canale?Smith) in adulthood.
Clin Rheumatol 2004;
23:43-4. [PMID:
14749982 DOI:
10.1007/s10067-003-0830-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2002] [Accepted: 05/26/2003] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) or Canale-Smith syndrome is a recently described clinical entity consisting of chronic, non-malignant lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly together with hypergammaglobulinemia, positive autoantibodies and/or overt autoimmune diseases. It is caused by a genetic defect in the mechanism of programmed cell death (apoptosis) and is characterized by the presence of double-negative (TCR alpha/beta CD4- CD8-) T lymphocytes (DNT). Although well known in pediatric patients, ALPS is an unusual diagnosis in adults. The oldest reported patient was aged 54. We describe another two adult patients in whom a presenting autoimmune disease led to the diagnosis of ALPS.
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