Psoriasis-like lesions in a patient with familial Mediterranean fever

J Dermatol. 2016 Mar;43(3):314-7. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.13068. Epub 2015 Sep 1.

Abstract

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a rare hereditary autoinflammatory disorder that is caused by pyrin gene mutation associated with aberrance of the interleukin (IL)-1β pathway and characterized by recurrent, self-limiting attacks of fever and other inflammatory symptoms. We report a case of FMF with annular erythema and psoriasis-like lesions, the latter of which demonstrated parakeratosis with neutrophil microabscesses and mild inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration in the upper dermis. Immunofluorescence staining showed IL-17-positive T-cells. Skin eruption with neutrophil migration in the epidermis may be provoked by T-helper 17 cell activation through the abnormal IL-1β cascade in FMF.

Keywords: familial Mediterranean fever; interleukin-17; interleukin-1β; neutrophil; psoriasis-like lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / etiology
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Psoriasis / etiology
  • Psoriasis / pathology*
  • Pyrin / genetics
  • Th17 Cells / immunology
  • Th17 Cells / pathology

Substances

  • MEFV protein, human
  • Pyrin