The Amyloidoses.

The prevalence of amyloid diseases varies in different geographic areas. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of localized amyloidosis, while AL amyloidosis is the most common systemic form of amyloidosis in the United States, while AA amyloidosis is the most common form worldwide.Amyloid fibrils resemble a woven cable and are deposited in tissues depending of the specific causative protein. Amyloid deposits do not cause an inflammatory reaction, but interfere with the function of surrounding tissues.Clinical manifestations vary according to the type of amyloid disease.Diagnosis is made by recognition of deposits with a characteristic "apple green" birefringence under polarizing microscopy and the specific subunit protein by immunohistochemistry.■ Treatment is directed toward reducing production of aberrant proteins or surgical removal of amyloid deposits or affected organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]