Fabry Disease ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans

Fabry's disease is a rare, X-linked disorder of the glycosphingolipid metabolism, in which a partial or total deficiency of a lysosomal alpha(alpha)-galactosidase results in the progressive accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids with terminal alpha galactose moieties (i.e., cerebroside di- and trihexoside) in most body fluids and tissues. Accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids occurs within the lysosomes of endothelial, perithelial, and smooth muscle cells of the myocardial and renal systems; to a lesser extent in reticuloendothelial and connective cells of the cornea; and in ganglion and perineural cells of the autonomic nervous system. In Korea, 7 cases of Fabry's disease have been reported. A 29-year-old man with fever and headache had typical skin findings and a family history of Fabry's disease, and it was confirmed through renal biopsy and enzyme assay for alpha-galactosidase. We report a case of Fabry's disease with a review of the literatures reported in Korea.
Adult ; Case Report ; Fabry Disease/pathology* ; Fabry Disease/metabolism ; Fabry Disease/diagnosis ; Human ; Male

Humans ; Fabry Disease/therapy* ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential

Humans ; Fabry Disease/therapy* ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential

BACKGROUND: Fabry disease is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A). Previous studies identified many cases of Fabry disease among men with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The purpose of this study was to define the frequency of Fabry disease among Korean men with LVH. METHODS: In this national prospective multicenter study, we screened Fabry disease in men with LVH on echocardiography. The criterion for LVH diagnosis was a maximum LV wall thickness 13 mm or greater. We screened 988 men with LVH for plasma α-Gal A activity. In patients with low α-Gal A activity (< 3 nmol/hr/mL), we searched for mutations in the α-galactosidase gene. RESULTS: In seven men, α-Gal A activity was low. Three had previously identified mutations; Gly328Arg, Arg301Gln, and His46Arg. Two unrelated men had the E66Q variant associated with functional polymorphism. In two patients, we did not detect GLA mutations, although α-Gal A activity was low on repeated assessment. CONCLUSION: We identified three patients (0.3%) with Fabry disease among unselected Korean men with LVH. Although the prevalence of Fabry disease was low in our study, early treatment of Fabry disease can result in a good prognosis. Therefore, in men with unexplained LVH, differential diagnosis of Fabry disease should be considered.
Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Echocardiography ; Fabry Disease ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Male ; Plasma ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report the genetic diagnosis of nine cases of Fabry in one family, either as carriers or patients. METHODS: We conducted analysis of the alpha-galactosidase A gene and ophthalmologic examination of family members of a patient diagnosed with Fabry disease. RESULTS: Our patient, his brother, and two male cousins had Fabry disease; his mother, three aunts, and his female cousin were Fabry carriers. Genetic study revealed deletion mutation (1235-1236delCT) at the alpha-galactosidase A gene in all subjects. Ophthalmologic examination detected whirl-like corneal opacity in all subjects, which is a typical characteristic of Fabry disease.
alpha-Galactosidase ; Corneal Opacity ; Diagnosis ; Fabry Disease* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mothers ; Sequence Deletion ; Siblings

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Cerebral Infarction ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Fabry Disease ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male

Fabry disease is a X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A. This abnormality in enzyme results intracellular accumulation of globotriaosylceramide and leads to severe painful neuropathy with progressive renal, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular dysfunction and early death. We report a 35 year-old man who had been suffered from acroparesthesia aggravated by body temperature elevation and with asymptomatic renal function impairment, which were proven to be due to Fabry disease. We performed gene analysis by PCR direct sequencing and confirmed missense mutation of GLA gene. Recently enzyme replacement of alpha-galactosidase was introduced and we think that the importance of early diagnosis and treatment should be emphasized.
Adult ; alpha-Galactosidase* ; Body Temperature ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Early Diagnosis ; Fabry Disease* ; Humans ; Mutation, Missense ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proteinuria

Sphingolipidoses are a subgroup of lysosomal storage disorders. They are characterized by relentless progressive storage in affected organs and concomitant functional impairments. No overall screening procedure for these disorders is available. Their course and appearance, however, are usually characteristic and, together with relevant technical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), clinical neurophysiology, ophthalmologic examination, etc., a provisional diagnosis can be made, after which enzymatic diagnosis can close the gap in the diagnostic process. Subgroups of sphingolipidoses are grouped together, such as disorders with prominent hepatosplenomegaly (Niemann-Pick A, B and Gaucher disease) and disorders with central and peripheral demyelination (metachromic leukodystrophy and Krabbe disease). Farber disease and Fabry disease are unique in themselves. The last decade has seen hopeful progress in therapeutic strategies, especially for Gaucher disease. Therefore, emphasis of this review has been placed on these new developments.
Demyelinating Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Fabry Disease ; Farber Lipogranulomatosis ; Gangliosidoses, GM2 ; Gangliosidosis, GM1 ; Gaucher Disease ; Hope ; Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mass Screening ; Neurophysiology ; Niemann-Pick Diseases ; Sphingolipidoses*

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal disease caused by deficiency of alpha-galactosidase, in which early diagnosis may be missed due to the wide variety of clinical symptoms presenting during disease progression. A 13 year-old boy visited our pain clinic complaining of pricking and burning pain in the toe tips of both feet. Continuous epidural infusion for pain management was performed because of oral analgesics ineffectiveness. The patient underwent alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) enzyme analysis based on the clinical impression of Fabry disease from pain with a peripheral neuropathic component and history of anhidrosis. He was diagnosed with Fabry disease after confirming mutation of the GLA gene through a screening test of GLA activity. Enzyme replacement therapy was initiated and pain was tolerated with oral analgesics.
alpha-Galactosidase ; Analgesics ; Burns ; Disease Progression ; Early Diagnosis ; Enzyme Replacement Therapy ; Fabry Disease ; Foot ; Humans ; Hypohidrosis ; Isoenzymes ; Mass Screening ; Pain Clinics ; Pain Management ; Toes