Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited autoinflammatory disease associated with the MEFV gene. FMF is common in Mediterranean peoples but not highly recognized in Japan. ⋯ Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of FMF may be eligible for physical, emotional, and financial benefits. Therefore, the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of differentiating the diagnosis by genetic testing.
Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Japan.
Intern. Med. 2023 Feb 15; 62 (4): 643647643-647.
AbstractFamilial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited autoinflammatory disease associated with the MEFV gene. FMF is common in Mediterranean peoples but not highly recognized in Japan. We herein report two cases of Japanese FMF patients who were diagnosed by genetic testing for the MEFV gene during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Both patients presented with symptoms similar to COVID-19, which delayed the definitive diagnosis. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of FMF may be eligible for physical, emotional, and financial benefits. Therefore, the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of differentiating the diagnosis by genetic testing.