{Reference Type}: Case Reports
{Title}: Infection-associated decrease of serum creatine kinase levels in Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy.
{Author}: Takeshita S;Saito Y;Oyama Y;Watanabe Y;Ikeda A;Iai M;Sato T;Ishigaki K;Ito SI;
{Journal}: Brain Dev
{Volume}: 43
{Issue}: 3
{Year}: Mar 2021
{Factor}: 2.272
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.braindev.2020.11.009
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Marked decreases in serum creatine kinase levels have been noted in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies as rare complications of autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The influence of systemic inflammation on serum creatine kinase levels was reviewed from the charts of three subjects with Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>A total of 30 infectious events were identified. Elevated serum C-reactive protein levels coincided with decreased creatine kinase levels on 19 occasions. In one subject, administration of 2 mg/kg/d prednisolone for bronchial asthma resulted in a decrease in creatine kinase level on six other occasions.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Apart from an increase in endogenous cortisol secretion, certain inflammation-related molecules could play a role in mitigating muscle cell damage in Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy during febrile infectious episodes. Corticosteroids may be a promising agent for the treatment of muscular symptoms in this disorder.