ALPS

=Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome=

ALPS symptoms
Some things that are seen most often in people with ALPS include:
 * An enlarged spleen.
 * Enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the neck and underarms.
 * An enlarged liver.
 * Skin rashes.
 * Frequent nose bleeds.
 * Anemia (low blood counts).
 * An increase in certain types of white blood cells (including double-negative T cells).
 * An increased life-span of some white blood cells that are no longer needed.
 * An alteration in a gene.

=ALPS - What is it?
= ALPS is a rare disease that affects both children and adults. ALPS stands for **A**utoimmune **L**ympho**P**roliferative (lim-fo-pro-lif'-er-a-tive) **S**yndrome. Each of these three words helps describe the main features of this condition. The word //autoimmune (self-immune)// identifies ALPS as a disease of the immune system. The tools used to fight germs turn against our own cells and cause problems. The word //lymphoproliferative// describes the unusually large numbers of white blood cells (called lymphocytes (lim'-fo-sites)) stored in the lymph nodes and spleens of people with ALPS. The word //syndrome// refers to the many common symptoms shared by ALPS patients.


 * ALPS develops in the early childhood years
 * ALPS is not contagious
 * There is a wide difference of severity in ALPS
 * ALPS, unlike other diseases, gets less severe over time

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/alps/alps.htm#a http://www.genome.gov/10001585