Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: Rare Lymph Node Disorder That Can Mimic Tuberculosis

UPSC Relevance: Health | Science

Why in News?

A patient in Visakhapatnam was diagnosed with Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease after years of recurrent lymph-node swelling.

Other Name

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis

Characteristics

  • Rare inflammatory condition.

  • Often causes cervical lymph-node enlargement.

  • Fever.

  • Fatigue.

  • May resemble:

    • Tuberculosis.

    • Lymphoma.

Cause

The precise cause is not fully established; immune and infectious triggers have been investigated.

Course

Usually benign and self-limiting.

Prelims Pointer: KFD primarily affects the lymph nodes.