Late Diagnosis of Familial Mediterranean Fever in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) causing AA amyloidosis and chronic renal failure is also called recurrent polyserositis. Diagnosis of FMF is established by clinical signs and sometimes by genetic analysis for MEFV mutations. We present four cases of kidney transplantation recipients (KTrs). Interestingly, FMF was diagnosed following episodes of acute renal failure, abdominal pain, and/or fever in these KTrs. When colchicine was added to their standard therapy, these events did not develop. Therefore, in cases with unknown etiologies of fever, abdominal pain, and even acute renal failure in KTrs, FMF should also be considered, particularly in certain geographic areas and ethnic groups.