Outcomes after newborn screening for propionic and methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinurias.

The current German newborn screening (NBS) panel includes 13 inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs). In addition, a NBS pilot study in Southwest Germany identifies individuals with propionic acidemia (PA), methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), combined and isolated remethylation disorders (e.g., cobalamin [cbl] C and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] deficiency), cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) deficiency, and neonatal cbl deficiency through one multiple-tier algorithm. The long-term health benefits of screened individuals are evaluated in a multicenter observational study. Twenty seven screened individuals with IMDs (PA [N = 13], MMA [N = 6], cblC deficiency [N = 5], MTHFR deficiency [N = 2] and CBS deficiency [N = 1]), and 42 with neonatal cbl deficiency were followed for a median of 3.6 years. Seventeen screened IMD patients (63%) experienced at least one metabolic decompensation, 14 of them neonatally and six even before the NBS report (PA, cbl-nonresponsive MMA). Three PA patients died despite NBS and immediate treatment. Fifteen individuals (79%) with PA or MMA and all with cblC deficiency developed permanent, mostly neurological symptoms, while individuals with MTHFR, CBS, and neonatal cbl deficiency had a favorable clinical outcome. Utilizing a combined multiple-tier algorithm, we demonstrate that NBS and specialized metabolic care result in substantial benefits for individuals with MTHFR deficiency, CBS deficiency, neonatal cbl deficiency, and to some extent, cbl-responsive MMA and cblC deficiency. However, its advantage is less evident for individuals with PA and cbl-nonresponsive MMA. SYNOPSIS: Early detection through newborn screening and subsequent specialized metabolic care improve clinical outcomes and survival in individuals with MTHFR deficiency and cystathionine-ß-synthase deficiency, and to some extent in cobalamin-responsive methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and cblC deficiency while the benefit for individuals with propionic acidemia and cobalamin-nonresponsive MMA is less evident due to the high (neonatal) decompensation rate, mortality, and long-term complications.

Neurological outcome in long-chain hydroxy fatty acid oxidation disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to elucidate the long-term benefit of newborn screening (NBS) for individuals with long-chain 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) and mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP) deficiency, inherited metabolic diseases included in NBS programs worldwide. METHODS: German national multicenter study of individuals with confirmed LCHAD/MTP deficiency identified by NBS between 1999 and 2020 or selective metabolic screening. Analyses focused on NBS results, confirmatory diagnostics, and long-term clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Sixty-seven individuals with LCHAD/MTP deficiency were included in the study, thereof 54 identified by NBS. All screened individuals with LCHAD deficiency survived, but four with MTP deficiency (14.8%) died during the study period. Despite NBS and early treatment neonatal decompensations (28%), symptomatic disease course (94%), later metabolic decompensations (80%), cardiomyopathy (28%), myopathy (82%), hepatopathy (32%), retinopathy (17%), and/or neuropathy (22%) occurred. Hospitalization rates were high (up to a mean of 2.4 times/year). Disease courses in screened individuals with LCHAD and MTP deficiency were similar except for neuropathy, occurring earlier in individuals with MTP deficiency (median 3.9 vs. 11.4 years; p = 0.0447). Achievement of dietary goals decreased with age, from 75% in the first year of life to 12% at age 10, and consensus group recommendations on dietary management were often not achieved. INTERPRETATION: While NBS and early treatment result in improved (neonatal) survival, they cannot reliably prevent long-term morbidity in screened individuals with LCHAD/MTP deficiency, highlighting the urgent need of better therapeutic strategies and the development of disease course-altering treatment.

Detection of Mpox Virus Using Microbial Cell-Free DNA: The Potential of Pathogen-Agnostic Sequencing for Rapid Identification of Emerging Pathogens.

BACKGROUND: The 2022 global outbreak of Monkeypox virus (MPXV) highlighted challenges with polymerase chain reaction detection as divergent strains emerged and atypical presentations limited the applicability of swab sampling. Recommended testing in the United States requires a swab of lesions, which arise late in infection and may be unrecognized. We present MPXV detections using plasma microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) sequencing. METHODS: Fifteen plasma samples from 12 case-patients were characterized through mcfDNA sequencing. Assay performance was confirmed through in silico inclusivity and exclusivity assessments. MPXV isolates were genotyped using mcfDNA, and phylodynamic information was imputed using publicly available sequences. RESULTS: MPXV mcfDNA was detected in 12 case-patients. Mpox was not suspected in 5, with 1 having documented resolution of mpox >6 months previously. Six had moderate to severe mpox, supported by high MPXV mcfDNA concentrations; 4 died. In 7 case-patients, mcfDNA sequencing detected coinfections. Genotyping by mcfDNA sequencing identified 22 MPXV mutations at 10 genomic loci in 9 case-patients. Consistent with variation observed in the 2022 outbreak, 21 of 22 variants were G > A/C > T. Phylogenetic analyses imputed isolates to sublineages arising at different time points and from different geographic locations. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the potential of plasma mcfDNA sequencing to detect, quantify, and, for acute infections with high sequencing coverage, subtype MPXV using a single noninvasive test. Sequencing plasma mcfDNA may augment existing mpox testing in vulnerable patient populations or in patients with atypical symptoms or unrecognized mpox. Strain type information may supplement disease surveillance and facilitate tracking emerging pathogens.

Isovaleric aciduria identified by newborn screening: Strategies to predict disease severity and stratify treatment.

Newborn screening (NBS) allows early identification of individuals with rare disease, such as isovaleric aciduria (IVA). Reliable early prediction of disease severity of positively screened individuals with IVA is needed to guide therapeutic decision, prevent life-threatening neonatal disease manifestation in classic IVA and over-medicalization in attenuated IVA that may remain asymptomatic. We analyzed 84 individuals (median age at last study visit 8.5 years) with confirmed IVA identified by NBS between 1998 and 2018 who participated in the national, observational, multicenter study. Screening results, additional metabolic parameters, genotypes, and clinical phenotypic data were included. Individuals with metabolic decompensation showed a higher median isovalerylcarnitine (C5) concentration in the first NBS sample (10.6 vs. 2.7 µmol/L; p < 0.0001) and initial urinary isovalerylglycine concentration (1750 vs. 180 mmol/mol creatinine; p = 0.0003) than those who remained asymptomatic. C5 was in trend inversely correlated with full IQ (R = -0.255; slope = -0.869; p = 0.0870) and was lower for the "attenuated" variants compared to classic genotypes [median (IQR; range): 2.6 µmol/L (2.1-4.0; 0.7-6.4) versus 10.3 µmol/L (7.4-13.1; 4.3-21.7); N = 73]. In-silico prediction scores (M-CAP, MetaSVM, and MetaLR) correlated highly with isovalerylglycine and ratios of C5 to free carnitine and acetylcarnitine, but not sufficiently with clinical endpoints. The results of the first NBS sample and biochemical confirmatory testing are reliable early predictors of the clinical course of IVA, facilitating case definition (attenuated versus classic IVA). Prediction of attenuated IVA is supported by the genotype. On this basis, a reasonable algorithm has been established for neonates with a positive NBS result for IVA, with the aim of providing the necessary treatment immediately, but whenever possible, adjusting the treatment to the individual severity of the disease.

Plasma Microbial Cell-Free DNA Sequencing from over 15,000 Patients Identified a Broad Spectrum of Pathogens.

Microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) sequencing is an emerging infectious disease diagnostic tool which enables unbiased pathogen detection and quantification from plasma. The Karius Test, a commercial mcfDNA sequencing assay developed by and available since 2017 from Karius, Inc. (Redwood City, CA), detects and quantifies mcfDNA as molecules/µL in plasma. The commercial sample data and results for all tests conducted from April 2018 through mid-September 2021 were evaluated for laboratory quality metrics, reported pathogens, and data from test requisition forms. A total of 18,690 reports were generated from 15,165 patients in a hospital setting among 39 states and the District of Columbia. The median time from sample receipt to reported result was 26 h (interquartile range [IQR] 25 to 28), and 96% of samples had valid test results. Almost two-thirds (65%) of patients were adults, and 29% at the time of diagnostic testing had ICD-10 codes representing a diverse array of clinical scenarios. There were 10,752 (58%) reports that yielded at least one taxon for a total of 22,792 detections spanning 701 unique microbial taxa. The 50 most common taxa detected included 36 bacteria, 9 viruses, and 5 fungi. Opportunistic fungi (374 Aspergillus spp., 258 Pneumocystis jirovecii, 196 Mucorales, and 33 dematiaceous fungi) comprised 861 (4%) of all detections. Additional diagnostically challenging pathogens (247 zoonotic and vector-borne pathogens, 144 Mycobacterium spp., 80 Legionella spp., 78 systemic dimorphic fungi, 69 Nocardia spp., and 57 protozoan parasites) comprised 675 (3%) of all detections. This is the largest reported cohort of patients tested using plasma mcfDNA sequencing and represents the first report of a clinical grade metagenomic test performed at scale. Data reveal new insights into the breadth and complexity of potential pathogens identified.

Recommendations for diagnosing and managing individuals with glutaric aciduria type 1: Third revision.

Glutaric aciduria type 1 is a rare inherited neurometabolic disorder of lysine metabolism caused by pathogenic gene variations in GCDH (cytogenic location: 19p13.13), resulting in deficiency of mitochondrial glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH) and, consequently, accumulation of glutaric acid, 3-hydroxyglutaric acid, glutaconic acid and glutarylcarnitine detectable by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (organic acids) and tandem mass spectrometry (acylcarnitines). Depending on residual GCDH activity, biochemical high and low excreting phenotypes have been defined. Most untreated individuals present with acute onset of striatal damage before age 3 (to 6) years, precipitated by infectious diseases, fever or surgery, resulting in irreversible, mostly dystonic movement disorder with limited life expectancy. In some patients, striatal damage develops insidiously. In recent years, the clinical phenotype has been extended by the finding of extrastriatal abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction, preferably in the high excreter group, as well as chronic kidney failure. Newborn screening is the prerequisite for pre-symptomatic start of metabolic treatment with low lysine diet, carnitine supplementation and intensified emergency treatment during catabolic episodes, which, in combination, have substantially improved neurologic outcome. In contrast, start of treatment after onset of symptoms cannot reverse existing motor dysfunction caused by striatal damage. Dietary treatment can be relaxed after the vulnerable period for striatal damage, that is, age 6 years. However, impact of dietary relaxation on long-term outcomes is still unclear. This third revision of evidence-based recommendations aims to re-evaluate previous recommendations (Boy et al., J Inherit Metab Dis, 2017;40(1):75-101; Kolker et al., J Inherit Metab Dis 2011;34(3):677-694; Kolker et al., J Inherit Metab Dis, 2007;30(1):5-22) and to implement new research findings on the evolving phenotypic diversity as well as the impact of non-interventional variables and treatment quality on clinical outcomes.

Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the health of individuals with intoxication-type metabolic diseases-Data from the E-IMD consortium.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic challenges healthcare systems worldwide. Within inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) the vulnerable subgroup of intoxication-type IMDs such as organic acidurias (OA) and urea cycle disorders (UCD) show risk for infection-induced morbidity and mortality. This study (observation period February 2020 to December 2021) evaluates impact on medical health care as well as disease course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infections in patients with intoxication-type IMDs managed by participants of the European Registry and Network for intoxication type metabolic diseases Consortium (E-IMD). Survey's respondents managing 792 patients (n = 479 pediatric; n = 313 adult) with intoxication-type IMDs (n = 454 OA; n = 338 UCD) in 14 countries reported on 59 (OA: n = 36; UCD: n = 23), SARS-CoV-2 infections (7.4%). Medical services were increasingly requested (95%), mostly alleviated by remote technologies (86%). Problems with medical supply were scarce (5%). Regular follow-up visits were reduced in 41% (range 10%-50%). Most infected individuals (49/59; 83%) showed mild clinical symptoms, while 10 patients (17%; n = 6 OA including four transplanted MMA patients; n = 4 UCD) were hospitalized (metabolic decompensation in 30%). ICU treatment was not reported. Hospitalization rate did not differ for diagnosis or age group (p = 0.778). Survival rate was 100%. Full recovery was reported for 100% in outpatient care and 90% of hospitalized individuals. SARS-CoV-2 impacts health care of individuals with intoxication-type IMDs worldwide. Most infected individuals, however, showed mild symptoms and did not require hospitalization. SARS-CoV-2-induced metabolic decompensations were usually mild without increased risk for ICU treatment. Overall prognosis of infected individuals is very promising and IMD-specific or COVID-19-related complications have not been observed.

Long-term anthropometric development of individuals with inherited metabolic diseases identified by newborn screening.

Newborn screening (NBS) for inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs) substantially shortens a patient's journey. It enables the early start of metabolic treatment which might prevent potentially lethal neonatal disease manifestations, while promoting favorable development and long-term clinical outcomes. This study aims to assess growth in screened individuals with IMDs under different dietary regimes. Anthropometric data (3585 prospective measures) of 350 screened individuals with IMDs born between 1999 and 2018 and participating in a German prospective multicenter observational study were evaluated. Overall, birth measures were within the reference ranges, suggesting unaffected prenatal growth, except for phenylketonuria (weight) and glutaric aciduria Type 1 (head circumference). After birth, longitudinal analysis of anthropometric measures revealed a loss of height standard deviation score (SDS; -0.5 SDS; p < 0.0001), head circumference SDS (-0.2 SDS; p = 0.0028), but not for weight SDS (0.1 SDS; p = 0.5097) until the age of 18 years, while BMI SDS increased (0.4 SDS; p < 0.0001). The significant interaction with age and diet groups was pronounced for the linear growth in individuals receiving diets being low in protein, long-chain triglycerides, and galactose (p < 0.001). Identification by NBS and subsequent early (dietary) treatment cannot completely protect against alterations in growths. Disease-specific (e.g., metabolic impairments, neurotoxins) and dietary-specific (e.g., diets reduced in protein) factors may have an amplified impact on longitudinal growth. Therefore, alongside other important follow-ups, the continuous observation of the anthropometric development of screened individuals with IMDs needs special attention to early identify and support individuals at risk.

ReSurveyGermany: Vegetation-plot time-series over the past hundred years in Germany.

Vegetation-plot resurvey data are a main source of information on terrestrial biodiversity change, with records reaching back more than one century. Although more and more data from re-sampled plots have been published, there is not yet a comprehensive open-access dataset available for analysis. Here, we compiled and harmonised vegetation-plot resurvey data from Germany covering almost 100 years. We show the distribution of the plot data in space, time and across habitat types of the European Nature Information System (EUNIS). In addition, we include metadata on geographic location, plot size and vegetation structure. The data allow temporal biodiversity change to be assessed at the community scale, reaching back further into the past than most comparable data yet available. They also enable tracking changes in the incidence and distribution of individual species across Germany. In summary, the data come at a level of detail that holds promise for broadening our understanding of the mechanisms and drivers behind plant diversity change over the last century.

More losses than gains during one century of plant biodiversity change in Germany.

Long-term analyses of biodiversity data highlight a 'biodiversity conservation paradox': biological communities show substantial species turnover over the past century1,2, but changes in species richness are marginal1,3-5. Most studies, however, have focused only on the incidence of species, and have not considered changes in local abundance. Here we asked whether analysing changes in the cover of plant species could reveal previously unrecognized patterns of biodiversity change and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms. We compiled and analysed a dataset of 7,738 permanent and semi-permanent vegetation plots from Germany that were surveyed between 2 and 54 times from 1927 to 2020, in total comprising 1,794 species of vascular plants. We found that decrements in cover, averaged across all species and plots, occurred more often than increments; that the number of species that decreased in cover was higher than the number of species that increased; and that decrements were more equally distributed among losers than were gains among winners. Null model simulations confirmed that these trends do not emerge by chance, but are the consequence of species-specific negative effects of environmental changes. In the long run, these trends might result in substantial losses of species at both local and regional scales. Summarizing the changes by decade shows that the inequality in the mean change in species cover of losers and winners diverged as early as the 1960s. We conclude that changes in species cover in communities represent an important but understudied dimension of biodiversity change that should more routinely be considered in time-series analyses.

PathoLive-Real-Time Pathogen Identification from Metagenomic Illumina Datasets.

Over the past years, NGS has become a crucial workhorse for open-view pathogen diagnostics. Yet, long turnaround times result from using massively parallel high-throughput technologies as the analysis can only be performed after sequencing has finished. The interpretation of results can further be challenged by contaminations, clinically irrelevant sequences, and the sheer amount and complexity of the data. We implemented PathoLive, a real-time diagnostics pipeline for the detection of pathogens from clinical samples hours before sequencing has finished. Based on real-time alignment with HiLive2, mappings are scored with respect to common contaminations, low-entropy areas, and sequences of widespread, non-pathogenic organisms. The results are visualized using an interactive taxonomic tree that provides an easily interpretable overview of the relevance of hits. For a human plasma sample that was spiked in vitro with six pathogenic viruses, all agents were clearly detected after only 40 of 200 sequencing cycles. For a real-world sample from Sudan, the results correctly indicated the presence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. In a second real-world dataset from the 2019 SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Wuhan, we found the presence of a SARS coronavirus as the most relevant hit without the novel virus reference genome being included in the database. For all samples, clinically irrelevant hits were correctly de-emphasized. Our approach is valuable to obtain fast and accurate NGS-based pathogen identifications and correctly prioritize and visualize them based on their clinical significance: PathoLive is open source and available on GitLab and BioConda.

Efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in glycogen storage disease type Ib: Data from an international questionnaire.

PURPOSE: This paper aims to report collective information on safety and efficacy of empagliflozin drug repurposing in individuals with glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib). METHODS: This is an international retrospective questionnaire study on the safety and efficacy of empagliflozin use for management of neutropenia/neutrophil dysfunction in patients with GSD Ib, conducted among the respective health care providers from 24 countries across the globe. RESULTS: Clinical data from 112 individuals with GSD Ib were evaluated, representing a total of 94 treatment years. The median age at start of empagliflozin treatment was 10.5 years (range = 0-38 years). Empagliflozin showed positive effects on all neutrophil dysfunction-related symptoms, including oral and urogenital mucosal lesions, recurrent infections, skin abscesses, inflammatory bowel disease, and anemia. Before initiating empagliflozin, most patients with GSD Ib were on G-CSF (94/112; 84%). At the time of the survey, 49 of 89 (55%) patients previously treated with G-CSF had completely stopped G-CSF, and another 15 (17%) were able to reduce the dose. The most common adverse event during empagliflozin treatment was hypoglycemia, occurring in 18% of individuals. CONCLUSION: Empagliflozin has a favorable effect on neutropenia/neutrophil dysfunction-related symptoms and safety profile in individuals with GSD Ib.

The biochemical subtype is a predictor for cognitive function in glutaric aciduria type 1: a national prospective follow-up study.

The aim of the study was a systematic evaluation of cognitive development in individuals with glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1), a rare neurometabolic disorder, identified by newborn screening in Germany. This national, prospective, observational, multi-centre study includes 107 individuals with confirmed GA1 identified by newborn screening between 1999 and 2020 in Germany. Clinical status, development, and IQ were assessed using standardized tests. Impact of interventional and non-interventional parameters on cognitive outcome was evaluated. The majority of tested individuals (n = 72) showed stable IQ values with age (n = 56 with IQ test; median test age 11 years) but a significantly lower performance (median [IQR] IQ 87 [78-98]) than in general population, particularly in individuals with a biochemical high excreter phenotype (84 [75-96]) compared to the low excreter group (98 [92-105]; p = 0.0164). For all patients, IQ results were homogenous on subscale levels. Sex, clinical motor phenotype and quality of metabolic treatment had no impact on cognitive functions. Long-term neurologic outcome in GA1 involves both motor and cognitive functions. The biochemical high excreter phenotype is the major risk factor for cognitive impairment while cognitive functions do not appear to be impacted by current therapy and striatal damage. These findings implicate the necessity of new treatment concepts.

Neonatal Screening for Congenital Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders­Results From Germany for the Years 2006­2018.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of neonatal screening is the early detection of congenital metabolic and endocrine disorders that, if untreated, could lead to fatal crises or other long-term adverse sequelae. In Germany, neonatal screening is legally regulated. Quality-assurance reports ("DGNS reports") are created and published annually by the German Society for Neonatal Screening (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neugeborenen-Screening). Data from the DGNS reports for the years 2006-2018 serve as the basis of the present publication. METHODS: For the years 2006-2018, prevalences were calculated and data on process quality were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 9 218 538 births, 6917 neonates were identified who had one of the target diseases. The overall prevalence was 75 per 100 000 neonates; the disorders most commonly found were congenital hypothyroidism (30 per 100 000) followed by phenylketonuria (PKU) and medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCAD) (10 per 100 000 each). Of the 272 205 follow-up screenings requested, 80% were received. The rate of positive screening findings (recall rate) declined over the observation period, from 0.90% in 2006 to 0.37% in 2018. For every five positive screening findings, one case of a target disorder was confirmed. 79% of the children for whom treatment was indicated began to receive treatment within two weeks. CONCLUSION: The low recall rate and the early initiation of treatment in 79% of the affected children indicate that neonatal screening for metabolic and endocrine disorders in Germany is effective. The incorporation of tracking structures and the introduction of a registry could further improve the quality of the program.

The spectrum of peripheral neuropathy in disorders of the mitochondrial trifunctional protein.

Peripheral neuropathy is a known irreversible long-term complication of long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHADD) and mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency (MTPD), two inherited disorders of mitochondrial long-chain fatty acid oxidation. The underlying pathophysiology of neuropathy is still not fully understood. We report electrophysiological studies and neurological findings in a series of 8 LCHAD-deficient and 11 MTP-deficient patients. The median age at time of the study was 8.0 years (0.5-25 years). The overall prevalence of neuropathy was 58% with neuropathic symptoms being slightly more common in MTPD compared to LCHADD (70% vs 50%, respectively). Onset of neuropathy was significantly earlier in MTPD patients compared to LCHADD patients (median age at onset 4.7 vs 15.3 years, respectively, P = .047). In four patients, isolated peripheral neuropathy was the first and only presenting symptom, and in all four the diagnosis was missed by newborn screening. About half of the patients (45.5%) had a sensorimotor neuropathy, while 27.3% showed a pure motor form and another 27.3% an isolated sensory form. Despite early diagnosis by newborn screening and early initiation of therapy, peripheral neuropathy cannot be prevented in all patients with LCHADD/MTPD and has severe impact on the life of affected patients. Electrophysiology classifies LCHADD/MTPD neuropathy as axonal with secondary demyelination. A novel observation is that in patients with acute, fulminant onset of neuropathy, symptoms can be partly reversible. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying pathophysiology of axonal damage and possible therapeutic targets.

Newborn screening and disease variants predict neurological outcome in isovaleric aciduria.

Isovaleric aciduria (IVA), a metabolic disease with severe (classic IVA) or attenuated phenotype (mild IVA), is included in newborn screening (NBS) programs worldwide. The long-term clinical benefit of screened individuals, however, is still rarely investigated. A national, prospective, observational, multi-center study of individuals with confirmed IVA identified by NBS between 1998 and 2018 was conducted. Long-term clinical outcomes of 94 individuals with IVA were evaluated, representing 73.4% (for classic IVA: 92.3%) of the German NBS cohort. In classic IVA (N = 24), NBS prevented untimely death except in one individual with lethal neonatal sepsis (3.8%) but did not completely prevent single (N = 10) or recurrent (N = 7) metabolic decompensations, 13 of them occurring already neonatally. IQ (mean ± SD, 90.7 ± 10.1) was mostly normal but below the reference population (P = .0022) and was even lower in individuals with severe neonatal decompensations (IQ 78.8 ± 7.1) compared to those without crises (IQ 94.7 ± 7.5; P = .01). Similar results were obtained for school placement. In contrast, individuals with mild IVA had excellent neurocognitive outcomes (IQ 105.5 ± 15.8; normal school placement) and a benign disease course (no metabolic decompensation, normal hospitalization rate), which did not appear to be impacted by metabolic maintenance therapy. In conclusion, NBS reduces mortality in classic IVA, but does not reliably protect against severe neonatal metabolic decompensations, crucial for favorable neurocognitive outcome. In contrast, individuals with mild IVA had excellent clinical outcomes regardless of metabolic maintenance therapy, questioning their benefit from NBS. Harmonized stratified therapeutic concepts are urgently needed.

Impact of interventional and non-interventional variables on anthropometric long-term development in glutaric aciduria type 1: A national prospective multi-centre study.

Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1) is a rare neurometabolic disorder, caused by inherited deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase, mostly affecting the brain. Early identification by newborn screening (NBS) significantly improves neurologic outcome. It has remained unclear whether recommended therapy, particular low lysine diet, is safe or negatively affects anthropometric long-term outcome. This national prospective, observational, multi-centre study included 79 patients identified by NBS and investigated effects of interventional and non-interventional parameters on body weight, body length, body mass index (BMI) and head circumference as well as neurological parameters. Adherence to recommended maintenance and emergency treatment (ET) had a positive impact on neurologic outcome and allowed normal anthropometric development until adulthood. In contrast, non-adherence to ET, resulting in increased risk of dystonia, had a negative impact on body weight (mean SDS -1.07; P = .023) and body length (mean SDS -1.34; P = -.016). Consistently, longitudinal analysis showed a negative influence of severe dystonia on weight and length development over time (P < .001). Macrocephaly was more often found in female (mean SDS 0.56) than in male patients (mean SDS -0.20; P = .049), and also in individuals with high excreter phenotype (mean SDS 0.44) compared to low excreter patients (mean SDS -0.68; P = .016). In GA1, recommended long-term treatment is effective and allows for normal anthropometric long-term development up to adolescence, with gender- and excreter type-specific variations. Delayed ET and severe movement disorder result in poor anthropometric outcome.

Long-term Outcomes of Individuals With Metabolic Diseases Identified Through Newborn Screening.

BACKGROUND: Although extended newborn screening (NBS) programs have been introduced more than 20 years ago, their impact on the long-term clinical outcome of individuals with inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs) is still rarely investigated. METHODS: We studied the clinical outcomes of individuals with IMDs identified by NBS between 1999 and 2016 in a prospective multicenter observational study. RESULTS: In total, 306 screened individuals with IMDs (115 with phenylketonuria and 191 with other IMDs with a lifelong risk for metabolic decompensation) were followed for a median time of 6.2 years. Although the risk for metabolic decompensation was disease-specific and NBS could not prevent decompensations in every individual at risk (n = 49), the majority did not develop permanent disease-specific signs (75.9%), showed normal development (95.6%) and normal cognitive outcome (87.7%; mean IQ: 100.4), and mostly attended regular kindergarten (95.2%) and primary school (95.2%). This demonstrates that not only individuals with phenylketonuria, serving as a benchmark, but also those with lifelong risk for metabolic decompensation had a favorable long-term outcome. High NBS process quality is the prerequisite of this favorable outcome. This is supported by 28 individuals presenting with first symptoms at a median age of 3.5 days before NBS results were available, by the absence of neonatal decompensations after the report of NBS results, and by the challenge of keeping relevant process parameters at a constantly high level. CONCLUSIONS: NBS for IMDs, although not completely preventing clinical presentations in all individuals, can be considered a highly successful program of secondary prevention.

Rapid, Noninvasive Diagnosis of Balamuthia mandrillaris Encephalitis by a Plasma-Based Next-Generation Sequencing Test.

Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris is a rare subacute infection with exceptionally high mortality. Diagnosis is typically made by brain biopsy or at autopsy. Detection of Balamuthia mandrillaris cell-free DNA by next-generation sequencing of plasma enabled rapid, noninvasive diagnosis in a case of amoebic encephalitis.