OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and ABCG5/ABCG8 gene mutations of three pedigrees of phytosterolemia presented with macrothrombocytopenia and hemolysis.

METHODSErythrocyte and platelet morphology were examined under light microscope. Plasma sterol levels were measured by high pressure/performance liquid chromatography method. All of ABCG5 and ABCG8 exons and intron-exon boundaries were directly sequenced to identify mutations, the corresponding gene mutation sites of three families members and healthy individuals were detected.

RESULTSAll the patients presented macrothrombocytopenia, hemolysis, splenomegaly and xanthomas. The blood smears showed large platelets, some as large as erythrocytes, and abnormal erythrocyte shapes, such as stomatocytes. Plasma concentrations of phytosterols, especially sitosterol were markedly elevated (30 fold) in the affected patients. Four mutations were identified in these three pedigrees, ABCG5 C20896T (R446X) and A20883G, ABCG8 del43683-43724 and del1938C-1939G/ins1938T. The latter three were novel mutations reported for the first time.

CONCLUSIONSPhytosterolemia associated with macrothrombocytopenia and hemolysis is a new subtype of this disease. Plasma phytosterols and related gene analysis should be performed when ever an unexplained macrothrombocytopenia, especially combined with haemolysis or/and stomatocytosis.