MIXED CONNECTIVE-TISSUE DISEASE-ASSOCIATED WITH MULTICENTRIC CASTLEMANS DISEASE

We describe a 60-year-old woman who developed mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) associated with multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) and Crow-Fukase syndrome (CFS). She showed HLA DR-4 antigen and an abn ormal X chromosome (47,XXX). The serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) level was markedly increased and IL-6 mRNA was detected in enlarged lymph node c ells. After prednisolone was administered, her IL-6 level decreased an d the symptoms of MCTD, MCD, and CFS all improved. Thus, IL-6 may be i nvolved in the modification of the pathologic condition in this patien t.