What is Amyloidosis?

a group of diseases in which abnormal proteins, known as amyloid fibrils, build up in tissue.

What is the most common type of amyloidosis?

Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis (also called primary systemic amyloidosis)

What is the typical inital presentation of Amyloidosis?

unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and oedema resistant to diuretic therapy.

What is an amyloid deposit?

Any histological tissue specimen that binds Congo red and demonstrates green birefringence when viewed under polarised light

How is Amyloidosis diagnosed?

confirmed by tissue biopsy

What are the features of AL amyloidosis?

• nephrotic syndrome
• cardiac and neurological involvement
• macroglossia
• periorbital ecchymosis

What are the features of AA amyloid?

renal involvement most common feature

What type of patients are associated with Beta-2 microglobulin amyloidosis?

patients on renal dialysis