AA (or secondary) amyloidosis results from increased levels
of the circulating serum amyloid A protein. Serum amyloid
A elevates in our blood as a natural response to infection
and inflammation. In general, if a patient has an infection or
inflammatory condition for six months or more, he or she is
at risk for developing AA. The amyloidosis arises secondary
to chronic inflammatory and infectious conditions, including:
rheumatic disease, inflammatory bowel disease, tubercu-
losis, osteomyelitis, lupus, and hereditary fever syndromes
such as familial Mediterranean fever. Amyloid deposition
usually begins in the kidneys, but the liver, spleen, lymph
nodes, and intestines are also commonly affected.