Perthes-Like Disease Masquerading Non-Classical MPS

Abstract Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are inborn errors of metabolism caused by deficient lysosomal enzymes, leading to organomegaly, hip osteonecrosis, coarse facial features, bone deformities, joint stiffness, cardiac and pulmonary symptoms (MPS VI) or hypermobility (MPS IVA). Some patients may present with non-classical forms of the disease in which osteoarticular abnormalities are the initial symptoms of non-classical forms. As orthopedists and surgeons are the specialists most frequently consulted before the diagnosis, it is critical that MPS may be considered as a differential diagnosis for patients with bone dysplasia. Experts in Latin America reviewed medical records focusing on disease onset, first symptoms and the follow-up clinical and surgical outcomes of non-classical MPS VI and IVA patients. All patients displayed orthopedic issues, which worsened over time, followed by cardiac and ophthalmological abnormalities. Our findings enlighten the necessity of including non-classical MPS as possible diagnosis for patients who report osteoarticular abnormalities in absence of inflammation.

Sanfilippo Syndrome: The Tale of a Challenging Diagnosis

Abstract Sanfilippo syndrome or mucopolysaccharidosis III (MPS III), includes a group of four autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficient activity of enzymes involved in the catabolism of heparan sulfate. The four types of MPS III are recognized in accordance with the deficient enzyme, resulting in the accumulation of heparan sulfate with particularly deleterious effects in the central nervous system. The incidence of MPS III remains to be established in Latin American countries. We describe the journey of a patient with MPS IIIB whom, even in the presence of speech delay and deterioration, behavioral problems and motor incoordination, showed unaltered urinary glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) levels. An investigation for MPS was undertaken and enzyme analysis indicated a deficiency of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase, leading to the diagnosis of MPS IIIB. With the correct diagnosis, the patient's symptoms could be properly managed, and the parents received appropriate genetic counseling. The present case report reinforces the need of investigating MPS III in patients with language delay and/or regression, neurological impairment and behavioral alterations, even when urinary GAGs are within normal range. A definitive diagnosis ends the diagnostic journey and enables the medical team and family to provide a better care for the child.

Diagnosis and Management of Classica Homocystinuria in Brazil: A Summary of 72 Late-Diagnosed Patients

Abstract This study described a broad clinical characterization of classical homocystinuria (HCU) in Brazil. This was a cross-sectional, observational study including clinical and biochemical data from 72 patients (60 families) from Brazil (South, n = 13; Southeast, n = 37; Northeast, n = 8; North, n = 1; and Midwest, n = 1). Parental consanguinity was reported in 42% of families. Ocular manifestations were the earliest detected symptom (53% of cases), the main reason for diagnostic suspicion (63% of cases), and the most prevalent manifestation at diagnosis (67% of cases). Pyridoxine responsiveness was observed in 14% of patients. Only 22% of nonresponsive patients on treatment had total homocysteine levels <100 mmol/L. Most commonly used treatment strategies were pyridoxine (93% of patients), folic acid (90%), betaine (74%), vitamin B12 (27%), and low-methionine diet + metabolic formula (17%). Most patients diagnosed with HCU in Brazil are late diagnosed, express a severe phenotype, and poor metabolic control. Milder forms of HCU are likely underrepresented due to underdiagnosis.

Evaluation of clinical and functional abnormalities in Pompe disease: Case Report / Avaliação das anomalias clínico-funcionais na doença de Pompe: Relato de Caso

The patient was a 15 year-old girl who turned out at the Physical Therapy Clinic presenting progressiv escoliosis and angle of 50º Coob by X-Ray. She complained of back pain, headache and weakness of shoulder and pelvic girdle. Physical therapy evaluation came across features of delayed motor development and undernourishment, together with generalized muscle weakness (grade = 4) which was observed by the Kendall test. Lung vital capacity was 40.5%. Clinical Changes: studies of the enzymes with acid alpha-glucosidase assay kits used on filter paper and leukocytes showed low enzyme activity, suggesting a late form of the Pompe disease. The molecular studies proved that the patient had amutation associated with late-onset Pompe disease. Acid alpha-glucosidase enzyme assay studies performed in skin fibroblasts showed a reduction of the enzymatic activity of the acid alpha-glucosidase, confirming the previous results. On account of the results, Pompe disease induced important changes inclinical and functional, as well as metabolic changes, decreased strength and muscle action potentially, biomechanical changes in the spine and changes in respiratory capacity. Furthermore, this case of Pompe disease illustrates the importance of adequate physical therapy evaluation as it can be the starting point of investigation of serious conditions such as late onset Pompe disease

Paciente do sexo feminino com 15 anos, apresentou-se na Clínica de Fisioterapia, devido à presença de escoliose progressiva com ângulo de Coob de 50º pelo Raio-X. Apresentou queixa de dor na coluna e na cabeça, fraqueza de cintura escapular e pélvica. Na avaliação fisioterapêutica observou-se um quadro semelhante ao atraso do desenvolvimento motor e desnutrição, com fraqueza muscular generalizada(grau = 4) observada pelo teste de Kendall. Na função pulmonar a capacidade vital apresentou com 40,5%. Estudos enzimáticos com dosagem da alfa-glicosidade ácida em papel-filtro e leucócitos evidenciaram baixa atividade enzimática, sugestivo de forma tardia da doença de Pompe. No estudo molecular, comprovou-se que a paciente possuía mutação associada à forma tardia da doença; estudos enzimáticos da alfa-glicosidase ácida em fibroblastos cultivados a partir de biópsia de pele evidenciaram redução da atividade enzimática da alfa-glicosidase ácida, confirmando estudos enzimáticos prévios. Perante os resultados, a doença de Pompe apresentou alterações clínicas e funcionais importantes como alteração do metabolismo, diminuição de força e do potencial de ação da musculatura, alterações biomecânicas na coluna e na capacidade respiratória. Adicionalmente, o caso ilustra a importância da avaliação fisioterapêutica adequada, pois ele pode ser o ponto de partida da investigação de doenças graves como o presente caso

Quality of life in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A / Análise da qualidade de vida de pacientes com a doença de Charcot-Marie-Tooth tipo 1A

We assessed the functional impairment in Charcot-Marie-Tooth resulting from 17p11.2-p12 duplication (CMT1A) patients using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), which is a quality of life questionnaire. Twenty-five patients of both genders aged ≥10 years with a positive molecular diagnosis of CMT1A were selected. Age- and gender-matched Control Group (without family history of neuropathy), and the sociodemographic and professional conditions similar to the patients' group were selected to compare the SF-36 results between them. The results showed that the majority quality of life impairments in CMT1A patients occurred in the social and emotional domains. Functional capacity also tended to be significantly affected; other indicators of physical impairment were preserved. In conclusion, social and emotional aspects are mostly neglected in the assistance provided to CMT1A Brazilian patients, and they should be better understood in order to offer global health assistance with adequate quality of life as a result.

Avaliou-se o comprometimento funcional de pacientes com Charcot-Marie-Tooth provenientes da duplicação 17p11.2-p12 (CMT1A), utilizando o SF-36, que é um questionário para medir a qualidade de vida. Vinte e cinco pacientes de ambos os sexos com idades ≥10 anos e diagnóstico molecular de CMT1A foram selecionados. Idade, sexo, condições sociodemográficas e profissionais foram pareados com o Grupo Controle (sem histórico familiar de neuropatia). Os resultados mostraram que o maior impacto da CMT1A na qualidade de vida ocorreu nos domínios social e emocional dos pacientes avaliados. A capacidade funcional também tende a ser significativamente afetada, enquanto outros indicadores de deficiência física foram preservados. Por fim, os aspectos sociais e emocionais dos pacientes acometidos por CMT1A costumam ser negligenciados na assistência médica prestada aos pacientes brasileiros, e devem ser melhor compreendidos a fim de oferecer uma assistência global à saúde, resultando em adequada qualidade de vida.

Erros inatos do metabolismo confirmados no Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto-SP no período de 2000 a 2008 / Inborn errors of metabolism in the Hospital of Clinics of Ribeirão Preto - SP from 2000 to 2008

Os Erros Inatos do Metabolismo (EIM) vêm sendo cada vez mais identificados nos últimos anos. A preocupação com o diagnóstico precoce decorre do foco na prevenção de deficiências, especialmente a mental. Este estudo descritivo teve por objetivo verificar diagnósticos confirmados e modalidades de tratamento utilizadas de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2008. Método: foi realizada busca ativa de casos confirmados nos serviços que atendem esse tipo doença: neurologia (neuropediatria e doençasneuromusculares), pediatria (serviço de gastrologia e hepatologia) e genética clínica, além de levantamento no Serviço de Arquivo Médico do HCFMRP-USP. Foram confirmados 165 pacientes com EIM, com idades de um dia a 22 anos (mediana de um ano); 50 casos foram defeitos na síntese ou catabolismo de moléculas complexas, 65 no metabolismo intermediário, e 50 na produção ou utilização de energia. O tratamento foi instituído para 12 dos 50 pacientes do grupo I sendo reposição enzimática em 11 e transplante de medula óssea em um; todos do grupo II e III receberam orientação nutricional; 60 do grupo II receberam fórmula dietética industrializada; dos 50 do grupo III, 43 com mitocondriopatias receberam L-carnitina e coenzimas e aqueles com glicogenose, orientação sobre aporte de carbohidratos. A formação de novos recursos humanos, integração com a Rede EIM Brasil e linhas de pesquisa na área são prioridades para melhorar a acuidade na detecção e tratamento de erros inatos do metabolismo.

Inborn Errors of Metabolism have been increasingly identified in recent years. The early diagnosis focuses on prevention of disabilities, especially mental retardation. This descriptive study aims to verify confirmed diagnosis and treatment modalities in HCFMRP-USP cases from January of 2000 to December of 2008. A total of 165 patients with ages ranging from one day to 22 years (median one year) were detected. Fifty patients had synthesis or catabolism of complex molecules (group I), 65 intermediary metabolism (group II), and 50 had production or use of energy (group III) defects. Among the patients of group I, 11 had enzyme replacement therapy, and one bone marrow transplantation; for group II and III, inaddition to daily nutritional guidance for all of the patients, 60 from group II received industrialized diets; from group III, 43 with mitochondrial diseases received L-carnitine and coenzymes, and those with glycogenosis were focused mainly on the intake of carbohydrates. New human resources, integration with the Network EIM Brazil and lines of research in the area are priorities for improving the accuracy in the detection and treatment of inborn errors of metabolism.

Widening the clinical spectrum of Pitt-Rogers-Danks/Wolf-Hirschhorn syndromes

Chromosomal rearrangements involving partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4 and partial duplication of the short arm of chromosome 8 have been described both in Pitt-Rogers-Danks syndrome (PRDS) and Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS), the former being considered a milder phenotype of the latter. We describe a patient with partial deletion of chromosome 4 and partial duplication of chromosome 8 documented by array-comparative genomic hybridization (Array-CGH). In addition to the typical features of PRDS, the patient exhibited some clinical signs (genital hypoplasia, radioulnar synostosis and mesomelic limb shortness) infrequently, or never previously, reported in PRDS. These findings broaden the spectrum of anomalies generally associated with these syndromes.