Familial sarcoidosis in Taiwan

J Formos Med Assoc. 2007 Jun;106(6):499-503. doi: 10.1016/S0929-6646(09)60301-6.

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology and is uncommon in Taiwan. No cases of familial sarcoidosis have been reported in Taiwan. In this article, we report a mother and son pair who had sarcoidosis. The 56-year-old mother sought medical help for chronic cough for 3 months in 1993. Enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes were demonstrated on chest computed tomography. Besides, two small erythematous papules on her face were observed. Mediastinoscopic biopsy and skin biopsy showed non-caseating granulomatous inflammation. Sarcoidosis was thus diagnosed. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-typing of the patient was HLA-A2, A11, B35, B39, CW4, CW7, DR8 and DQ6. Eleven years later, her son was also diagnosed with sarcoidosis proved by mediastinoscopic biopsy. His HLA-typing was HLA-A2, A24, B39, B48, CW7, CW8, DR8 and DQ6. This is the first report of familial sarcoidosis in Chinese people. More cases are needed for further investigation of genetic predisposition among Chinese people.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sarcoidosis / genetics*
  • Sarcoidosis / pathology
  • Taiwan