Secondary AA

Secondary amyloidosis is caused by a chronic infection or chronic inflammatory disease. The deposits in this type of the disease are made up of a protein called the AA protein. Medical or surgical treatment of the underlying chronic infection or inflammatory disease can slow down or stop the progression of this type of amyloid.

In secondary (AA) amyloidosis, symptoms caused by the underlying chronic infection or inflammatory disease are frequently joined by the development of amyloid deposits in the kidney. This may cause protein in the urine, edema, and fatigue. The treatment depends on the underlying disease. It is important to control the chronic infection or inflammatory disease which is responsible for the amyloid. Medical or surgical treatment may be used to accomplish this.

Because the amyloid fibrils in AA Amyloidosis mostly deposit in the liver, spleen and kidneys, the most common clinical presentation of this lethal disorder is kidney failure. Gastrointestinal complications are also frequent and are usually manifested as chronic diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain and malabsorption. Enlargement of the liver and the spleen may also occur in some patients.