Clinical analysis of 10 cases of multi-center tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) in children. Methods: The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, genetic testing and follow-up of 10 children with TRAPS from May 2011 to May 2021 in 6 hospitals in China were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 10 patients with TRAPS, including 8 boys and 2 girls. The age of onset was 2 (1, 5) years, the age of diagnosis was (8±4) years, and the time from onset to diagnosis was 3 (1, 7) years. A total of 7 types of TNFRSF1A gene variants were detected, including 5 paternal variations, 1 maternal variation and 4 de novo variations. Six children had a family history of related diseases. Clinical manifestations included recurrent fever in 10 cases, rash in 4 cases, abdominal pain in 6 cases, joint involvement in 6 cases, periorbital edema in 1 case, and myalgia in 4 cases. Two patients had hematological system involvement. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were significantly increased in 10 cases. All patients were negative for autoantibodies. In the course of treatment, 5 cases were treated with glucocorticoids, 7 cases with immunosuppressants, and 7 cases with biological agents. Conclusions: TRAPS is clinically characterized by recurrent fever accompanied by joint, gastrointestinal, skin, and muscle involvement. Inflammatory markers are elevated, and autoantibodies are mostly negative. Treatment mainly involves glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and biological agents.

Enfermedades auto inflamatorias (EAI) en pediatría / Autoinflammatory diseases in children

Las enfermedades autoinmunes son un grupo de enfermedades de relativo reciente conocimiento. Muchas de ellas están genéticamente determinadas (excepto el síndrome de PFAPA). Se caracterizan por episodios recurrentes de fiebre asociada a síntomas que generalmente pueden comprometer la piel, sistema músculo esquelético y gastrointestinal. A pesar de su baja prevalencia, el descubrimiento de los genes comprometidos en algunas de ella, ha permitido una mejor comprensión de los mecanismos de la respuesta inmune innata y en especial del rol de los llamados inflamosomas. Estos avances han permitido terapias más específicas, lo que ha llevado a disminuir en forma importante la morbilidad asociada, tanto a corto como a largo plazo. En el área pediátrica, el síndrome de PFAPA debe ser incluido como alternativa en el diagnóstico diferencial.

Autoimmune diseases are an emerging group of genetically determined diseases (except PFAPA) that affect innate immune system. They are characterized by recurrent episodes of fever associated with symptoms affecting skin, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal system. Although unfrequent, the discovery of affected genes has allowed a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of innate immune response, specially about the role of inflammasomes. Subsequent targeted therapies have allowed a great improvement in short term and long term morbidity of most of these diseases. In children, PFAPA must be included in the analysis of differential diagnosis.