Macrophagic myofasciitis definition - medical term
A muscle disease first
iden
tified in 1993,
macrophagic myofasciitis is named for the findings seen in
tissue from
muscle biopsies, namely an abnormal infiltrate surrounding
muscle tissue of
specialized immune cells called "macrophages," a type of
immune cell important
to swallowing and destroying microorganisms. They also
assist other immune
cells in the body's response to invading organisms.
The cause of macrophagic myofasciitis is not known. Suspected causes include environmental factors, which may be toxins or infections.
Muscle
pain is the most
frequent symptom. This can be localized to the limbs or be
more diffuse.
Other
symptoms include joint pain, muscle weakness, fatigue,
fever, and muscle
tenderness.
The disorder is associated with an altered
immune system in
some,
but not all, patients. A significant number of patients had
taken
chloroquine
or hydroxychloroquine for malaria; these drugs are known to
inhibit the
secretion from macrophages of a cell messenger molecule
called
interleukin. The
cause of macrophagic myofasciitis has not been identified.
A unique material
that accumulates within the affected macrophages has been
seen on electron
microscopy but this material has yet to be characterized.
Most patients have
responded to treatment with antibiotics and/or steroids
within a few days or
weeks.
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