RESUMO
Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) deficiency (ASMD) is a spectrum that includes Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) types A (NPD A) and B (NPD B). ASMD is characterized by intracellular accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and gangliosides within the endosomal-lysosomal system. It is caused by different mutations in SMPD1 gene that result in reduction or complete absence of acid sphingomyelinase activity in the cells. Herein, four unrelated consanguineous families with two NPD A and three NPD B patients were assessed for their genotypes via sequencing of the SMPD1 gene and their acid sphingomyelinase enzymatic activity. Among the eight identified mutations, three were novel and reported for the first time in Jordanian families (c.120_131delGCTGGCGCTGGC or c.132_143delGCTGGCGCTGGC, c.1758T > G, and c.1344T > A). All the patients displayed ASM activity lower than 1.3 µmol/l/h (P < 0.001). Genotyping and enzymatic assessment might play a significant role in disease identification in people at risk to facilitate genetic counseling in the future.