A rare cause of severe diarrhoea diagnosed by urine metabolic screening: aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency.

A 15-year-old Chinese male with infantile-onset hypotonia, developmental delay, ptosis, and oculogyric episodes presented with a history of chronic diarrhoea since the age of 5 years. At presentation, he had an exacerbation of diarrhoeal symptoms resulting in dehydration and malnutrition with a concurrent severe chest infection. In view of his infantile-onset hypotonia, oculogyric crises, and protracted diarrhoea, an autonomic disturbance related to neurotransmitters was suspected. Urine organic acid profiling was compatible with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency. The diagnosis was confirmed based on cerebrospinal fluid analysis and genetic mutation analysis. The patient was treated with a combination of bromocriptine, selegiline, and pyridoxine; a satisfactory reduction in diarrhoea ensued. Our report highlights the importance of urine organic acid screening in infantile-onset hypotonia, especially when accompanied by oculogyric crises, and severe diarrhoea which could manifest as a result of autonomic disturbance.

Hyperornithinaemia-hyperammonaemia-homocitrullinuria syndrome: a treatable genetic liver disease warranting urgent diagnosis.

Hyperornithinaemia-hyperammonaemia-homocitrullinuria syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in ornithine translocase. This condition leads to variable clinical presentations, including episodic hyperammonaemia, hepatic derangement, and chronic neurological manifestations. Fewer than 100 affected patients have been reported worldwide. Here we report the first two cases in Hong Kong Chinese, who were compound heterozygous siblings for c.535C>T (p.Arg179*) and c.815C>T (p.Thr272Ile) in the SLC25A15 gene. When the mother refused prenatal diagnosis for the second pregnancy, urgent genetic testing provided the definitive diagnosis within 24 hours to enable specific treatment. Optimal management of these two patients relied on the concerted efforts of a multidisciplinary team and illustrates the importance of an expanded newborn screening service for early detection and treatment of inherited metabolic diseases.

A novel duplication at the putative DNA polymerase alpha arrest site and a founder mutation in Chinese in the IVD gene underlie isovaleric acidaemia.

Isovaleric acidaemia is a rare inherited organic acidaemia associated with a characteristic odour in affected patients. Fewer than 40 causative mutations have been reported to date. We report a case in a Hong Kong Chinese neonate who presented with respiratory distress and acute encephalopathy requiring aggressive resuscitation and treatment. Residual gross motor developmental delay was still observed at the age of 16 months. The child was subsequently found to harbour a known missense mutation (c.A1199G [p.Y371C]) and a novel 4-bp duplication (c.1148_1151dupGCTA [p.Y355X]) in the IVD gene. We suggest that the former is a founder mutation in the Chinese population and propose an explanation for the duplication event. Strategies that may achieve early diagnosis and prompt treatment include raising awareness of this condition, implementation of a tandem mass spectrometry neonatal screening programme, and local acquisition of appropriate medications for these metabolic diseases.

The KLHL40 c.1516A>C is a Chinese-specific founder mutation causing nemaline myopathy 8: Report of six patients with pre- and postnatal phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal recessive or compound heterozygous mutations in KLHL40 cause nemaline myopathy 8, which is one of the most severe forms of nemaline myopathy. The KLHL40 c.1516A>C variant has recently been reported as a founder mutation in southern Chinese. METHODS: We report six cases of nemaline myopathy 8 which involves the c.1516A>C variant, from five unrelated families of non-consanguineous southern Chinese. The pre- and postnatal phenotypes of these cases were reviewed with emphasis on prenatal clinical features. Genetic testing for the founder mutation was performed on three patients with homozygous mutations. RESULTS: Common prenatal features included reduced fetal movement, polyhydramnios, breech presentation, and clubfeet. Two pregnancies were terminated. Four live-born patients had postnatal features typical of nemaline myopathy 8. The length of survival ranged from 49 days to 17 months, with respiratory failure and infections being the principal causes of death. Haplotype analysis in three patients with homozygous mutation showed a shared haplotype block of 1.1727 cM spanning over the c.1516A>C variant, suggesting it is a southern Chinese-specific founder mutation. CONCLUSION: Analysis of the KLHL40 c.1516A>C variant should be considered in prenatal diagnosis of Chinese pregnant patients with suspected congenital neuromuscular disorders or with significant family history of congenital myopathies.

Outbreak of hypoglycaemia: sexual enhancement products containing oral hypoglycaemic agent.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a cluster of Hong Kong subjects with hypoglycaemia, after they had taken various non-prescription sildenafil products containing glibenclamide. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: A tertiary referral centre for clinical toxicology analysis in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: All men referred to the laboratory for investigation of suspected drug-induced hypoglycaemia from December 2007 to September 2008. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The characteristics of these patients, including their clinical presentations, outcomes, drug history, urine toxicology analysis results, and in some instances, analysis results of unused products. RESULTS: A total of 144 male patients were referred for suspected drug-induced hypoglycaemia. Sildenafil and glibenclamide, or their metabolites, were detected in the urine specimens of 68 (47%) patients, none of whom had been prescribed either drug by a registered medical practitioner. Among these subjects, 24 (35%) denied any use of sexual enhancement products despite repeated questioning. Eight patients had repeated exposure resulting in re-admission. The sources of these sexual enhancement products included pharmacies in Mainland China, friends, local pharmacies, peddlers, or were unknown. Three patients died, one remains in a vegetative state and one suffered cognitive impairment; the remaining 63 recovered fully. Twenty-five unused sexual enhancement products of seven different kinds were recovered for analysis. The median (range) of sildenafil and glibenclamide per unit dose was 64 (0.05-198) mg and 70 (0-158) mg, respectively. CONCLUSION: These illegal products pose a severe and continued threat to society and therefore deserve widespread vigilance, so that such products can be eradicated at their source.

Circulatory collapse in a patient with gastrinoma after metoclopramide administration.

A patient who was given metoclopramide for vomiting and diarrhoea developed circulatory collapse with his blood pressure dropping to 50/20 mm Hg. A gastrinoma was diagnosed histologically. The extent of the tumour was defined by octreotide scanning and magnetic resonance imaging. Metoclopramide was again given for colicky abdominal pain and the patient developed circulatory collapse a second time. A laparotomy involving extensive resection of the tumour was performed. The MEN1 mutation was not detected in blood or tumour tissue. Follow-up octreotide scanning did not show any residual tumour. Possible causes for the circulatory collapse are discussed. Our case is probably the first patient with gastrinoma to develop circulatory collapse after being given metoclopramide.