A 'de novo' arisen case of angioedema C1-inhibitor deficiency dependent: possible mutagenic effect of azathioprine?

It is reported that a C1-inhibitor (CI-INH) deficiency dependent angiodema case arose 'de novo' in a child without a family history of this disease. H is mother was undergoing immunosuppressive therapy (50 mg of azathioprine p lus 8 mg of methyl-prednisolone daily) during pregnancy, uninterrupted for seven years because of a kidney transplant. All the other known causes of a cquired C1-INH deficiency were excluded. An involvement of an azathioprine- induced C1-INH gene mutation is hypothised. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.