The First Case Series of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome in Korea

Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) is a hereditary autoinflammatory syndrome caused by mutations in NLRP3 (encoding cryopyrin), which presents with fever, fatigue and arthralgia. Thus far, however there have been no reports of CAPS in Korea. Herein, we report 3 cases of CAPS for the first time in Korea. The first case, a 28-year-old man with recurrent urticaria, arthralgia and fever induced by cold, all of which were observed in his father, showed elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. He exhibited a p.Gly303Asp variant of the NLPR3 gene. The second case, a 2-year-old girl who had recurrent urticaria, arthritis and oral and genital ulcers, was positive for HLA B51 and a p.Glu569Lys mutation in exon 3 of the NLRP3 gene. Administration of anakinra greatly improved her symptoms. The third case, a 4-year-old boy who presented with recurrent urticaria, arthralgia, and fever, exhibited a p.Val72Met mutation in exon 1 of the NLRP3 gene. Administration of tocilizumab improved all of his symptoms. This small case series suggests that clinicians consider CAPS and conduct genetic studies when arthralgia and fever are accompanied by urticaria in Korea.

NLRP3 Inflammasome and Host Protection against Bacterial Infection

The inflammasome is a multi-protein complex that induces maturation of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18 through activation of caspase-1. Several nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family members, including NLRP3, recognize unique microbial and danger components and play a central role in inflammasome activation. The NLRP3 inflammasome is critical for maintenance of homeostasis against pathogenic infections. However, inflammasome activation acts as a double-edged sword for various bacterial infections. When the IL-1 family of cytokines is secreted excessively, they cause tissue damage and extensive inflammatory responses that are potentially hazardous for the host. Emerging evidence has shown that diverse bacterial pathogens or their components negatively regulate inflammasome activation to escape the immune response. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of the roles and regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome during bacterial infections. Activation and regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome should be tightly controlled to prevent virulence and pathology during infections. Understanding the roles and regulatory mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome is essential for developing potential treatment approaches against pathogenic infections.

Autoinflammatory syndromes: report on three cases / Síndromes auto-inflamatórias: relato de três casos

Context: Autoinflammatory syndromes are diseases manifested by recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation in multiple organs. There is no production of autoantibodies, but interleukins play an important role and acute-phase reactants show abnormalities. Our aim was to report on three cases of autoinflammatory syndromes that are considered to be rare entities. CASE REPORTS: The authors describe the clinical features of three patients whose diagnosis were the following: tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), chronic infantile neurological cutaneous articular (CINCA) syndrome and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). All of the patients presented fever, joint or bone involvement and increased acute phase reactants. The genetic analysis confirmed the diagnoses of two patients. The great diversity of manifestations and the difficulties in genetic analyses make the diagnosing of these diseases a challenge.

Contexto: As síndromes auto-inflamatórias são doenças que se manifestam por surtos recorrentes de febre e inflamação em diversos órgãos. Não ocorre a formação de auto-anticorpos, as interleucinas representam um papel importante e as provas de fase aguda estão alteradas. O nosso objetivo foi relatar três casos de síndromes auto-inflamatórias consideradas como entidades raras. RELATO DE CASOS: Os autores descrevem as características clínicas de três pacientes que tiveram os seguintes diagnósticos: síndrome periódica associada ao receptor do fator de necrose tumoral α (TRAPS), síndrome articular cutânea neurológica e infantil crônica (CINCA) e febre familiar do Mediterrâneo (FFM). Todos os pacientes tiveram em comum a febre, o comprometimento articular ou ósseo e o aumento de provas de fase aguda. O estudo genético confirmou o diagnóstico em dois pacientes. A grande variedade de manifestações e a dificuldade nos estudos genéticos tornam o diagnóstico destas doenças um desafio.