Amyloidosis and periodic peritonitis (familial mediterranean Fever)

Some reports indicate that amyloidosis is a rare occurrence in persons with periodic peritonitis (familial Mediterranean fever), while others seem to show it occurs relatively frequently. Two cases were seen among 80 patients in Iraq. Twenty-one consecutive rectal biopsies were negative for amyloidosis. The variation in reported incidence is partly real and partly apparent. Amyloidosis occurs frequently in certain ethnic groups, and it is possible that there are two traits, one for periodic peritonitis and the other for amyloidosis.