Amyloidosis Overview and Types

Amyloidosis

Overview

• A group of diseases characterized by the accumulation of abnormal protein fibers (amyloid) in various tissues and organs
• Can affect multiple organs and systems, leading to organ dysfunction and failure

Types of Amyloidosis

AL Amyloidosis

• Primary amyloidosis or immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis
• Associated with monoclonal gammopathy (abnormal protein production)
• Caused by the accumulation of immunoglobulin light chains in tissues and organs
• Commonly affects the:
  • Heart
  • Kidneys
  • Liver
  • Nervous system
  • Gastrointestinal tract
• Symptoms: fatigue, weight loss, swelling, numbness, or tingling in hands and feet

AA Amyloidosis

• Secondary amyloidosis or reactive amyloidosis
• Associated with chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease)
• Caused by the accumulation of serum amyloid A protein in tissues and organs
• Commonly affects the:
  • Kidneys
  • Liver
  • Spleen
• Symptoms: kidney damage, proteinuria, and chronic inflammation

Localized Amyloidosis

• Amyloid deposits limited to a specific tissue or organ
• Can occur in various organs, including:
  • Brain (cerebral amyloid angiopathy)
  • Skin (cutaneous amyloidosis)
  • Lungs (pulmonary amyloidosis)
• Symptoms vary depending on the affected organ

β2-Microglobulin Amyloidosis

• Associated with dialysis-related amyloidosis
• Caused by the accumulation of β2-microglobulin in tissues and organs
• Commonly affects the:
  • Joints (carpal tunnel syndrome, joint pain)
  • Bones (osteonecrosis)
  • Soft tissues (tendonitis, bursitis)
• Symptoms: joint pain, stiffness, and limited mobility

Amyloidosis

Overview

• Characterized by the accumulation of abnormal protein fibers (amyloid) in various tissues and organs
• Can affect multiple organs and systems, leading to organ dysfunction and failure

Types of Amyloidosis

AL Amyloidosis

• Also known as primary amyloidosis or immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis
• Associated with monoclonal gammopathy
• Caused by the accumulation of immunoglobulin light chains in tissues and organs
• Commonly affects the heart, kidneys, liver, nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract
• Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, swelling, numbness, or tingling in hands and feet

AA Amyloidosis

• Also known as secondary amyloidosis or reactive amyloidosis
• Associated with chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease)
• Caused by the accumulation of serum amyloid A protein in tissues and organs
• Commonly affects the kidneys, liver, and spleen
• Symptoms include kidney damage, proteinuria, and chronic inflammation

Localized Amyloidosis

• Amyloid deposits limited to a specific tissue or organ
• Can occur in various organs, including:
  • Brain (cerebral amyloid angiopathy)
  • Skin (cutaneous amyloidosis)
  • Lungs (pulmonary amyloidosis)
• Symptoms vary depending on the affected organ

β2-Microglobulin Amyloidosis

• Associated with dialysis-related amyloidosis
• Caused by the accumulation of β2-microglobulin in tissues and organs
• Commonly affects the joints (carpal tunnel syndrome, joint pain), bones (osteonecrosis), and soft tissues (tendonitis, bursitis)
• Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and limited mobility