Kikuchi–Fujimoto's disease: report of familial occurrence in two human leucocyte antigen‐identical non‐twin sisters

Amir ARA, Amr SS, Sheikh SS (Dhahran Health Center, Saudi Arabia). Kikuchi–Fujimoto's disease: report of familial occurrence in two human leucocyte antigen‐identical non‐twin sisters (Case Report). J Intern Med 2002; 252: 79–83. Kikuchi–Fujimoto's disease (KFD) is a self‐limiting condition usually presenting as cervical lymphadenopathy, with fever and leukopenia, in young adult females. No specific aetiology has been identified yet, although some authors believe that KFD is a `forme fruste' of systemic lupus erythematosus. Certain human leucocyte antigen (HLA) types have also been associated with KFD. We herein report KFD in two non‐twin sisters with HLA‐identical phenotype, who presented 10 years apart. Neither patient had evidence of recent infection or connective tissue disease. The familial occurrence emphasizes the possibility of genetic predisposition and calls for a more extensive search for a specific cause of KFD.