Late Infantile-Onset Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy: Treatment using Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 대한소아신경학회지

Globoid cell leukodystrophy is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of the brain white-matter caused by galactosylceramidase deficiency; the disorder is classified into four types based on the age of onset. Approximately 80–85% of patients have an early infantile form, while 10–15% has a late infantile form. Globoid cell leukodystrophy leads to a progressive neurological deterioration, and affected patients rarely survive more than 2–3 years. Although many different treatments have been investigated over several decades, further research is still needed. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the standard treatment for globoid cell leukodystrophy. Here, we report a case of symptomatic late-infantile globoid cell leukodystrophy treated with stem cell transplantation. After transplantation, disease progression ceased and cognitive and motor function improved. And a 6 months follow-up study using brain magnetic resonance imaging showed white matter involvement was increased. After that, annual follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a stable status of disease.

ANÁLISIS DE LA β -GALACTOSILCERAMIDASA LEUCOCITARIA EN PACIENTES COLOMBIANOS CON SOSPECHA CLÍNICA DE ENFERMEDAD DE KRABBE, UN TAMIZAJE DE ALTO RIESGO / ANALYSIS OF β -GALACTOSILCERAMIDASE LEUKOCYTAL IN COLOMBIAN IN PATIENTS WITH SUSPECT CLINIC OF KRABBE DISEASE, A HIGH - RISK SCREENING / ANÁLISE DE β -GALACTOSILCERAMIDASE LEUKOCYTAL EM COLOMBIANO EM PACIENTES COM SUSPEITA CLINICA DA DOENÇA DE KRABBE, UMA BLINDAGEM DE ALTO RISCO HUMANOS PLACENTA

La Enfermedad de Krabbe (EK), es un desorden del metabolismo de esfingolípidos de herencia autosómica recesiva causada por la deficiencia de β-galactosilceramidasa (β-Galsil) (E.C. 3.2.1.46), defecto enzimático que causa un cuadro neurodegenerativo, hipertonía muscular y espasticidad, convulsiones, pérdida de la audición y en un 85% de los casos la muerte temprana, entre otros hallazgos. La incidencia de la EK documentada para Estados Unidos y Europa es de 1:100.000 recién nacidos, pero estudios recientes han demostrado valores mayores de 1:22.000 aproximadamente en New York. En América Latina los informes son escasos, con reportes de tamizaje de alto riesgo en Brasil y casos aislados en México, ofreciendo un panorama de subdiagnóstico importante, situación a la que no es ajena Colombia, donde no hay en la literatura referentes a la enfermedad. Se presenta entonces a la comunidad científica, un estudio de valores de actividad y de referencia para la enzima β-Galactosilceramidasa leucocitaria, a partir de 259 muestras de 110 individuos sanos y 149 pacientes con compromiso neurodegenerativo (CND). La valoración enzimática involucró dos métodos (Colorimétrico y Fluorométrico) de punto final que permitieron establecer un rango de referencia para β-Galsil en técnica Colorimétrica: 2,04-14,93 nmol/mgprot/h y en técnica fluorométrica: 0,3-4,21 nmol/mgprot/h. El estudio de tamizaje permitió identificar un paciente afectado con enfermedad de Krabbe quien presentó valores de actividad expresados en nmol/mgprot/h de 1,85 y 0,034, en forma correspondiente para las técnicas antes descritas. Un hallazgo final que permite validar los dos métodos estandarizados para el diagnóstico de la enfermedad y establecer valores de referencia en población colombiana.

Krabbe disease is a disorder of autosomal recessive sphingolipid metabolism caused by deficiency β-galactosylceramidase (β-Galsil) (EC3.2.1.46), an enzymatic defect that causes a hurt neurodegenerative, muscular hypertonia and Spasticity, convulsions, hearing loss and in 85% of cases early death, among other findings. The incidence documented for "Krabbe disease" in the United States and Europe is 1:100.000 newborns, but recent studies have shown values greater than 1:22.000 in New York. In Latin America, reports are limited, with reports of high-risk screening in Brazil and isolated cases in Mexico, providing an important underdiagnosis scenario, a situation that is not unknown in Colombia, where there is no literature on the disease. A study of activity and reference values for β-galactosylceramidase enzyme leukocytal, was then presented to the scientific community, from 259 samples from 110 healthy people and 149 patients with neurodegenerative compromise. The enzymatic evaluation involved two methods (Colorimetric and Fluorometric) that allowed the establishment of a reference range for β-Galsil in Colorimetric technique: 2.04-14.93 nmol/mgprot/h and in fluorometric technique: 0.3-4.21 nmol/mgprot/h. The screening study allowed the identification of a patient with Krabbe disease who presented activity values expressed in nmol/mgprot/h of 1.85 and 0.034, correspondingly to the techniques described above. A final finding that allows to validate the two standardized methods for the diagnosis of the disease and to establish reference values in Colombian population.

A doença de Krabbe é uma desordem do metabolismo de esfingolípidos autossômicos recessivos causada pela deficiência β-galactosilceramidase (β-Galsil) (EC 3.2.1.46), um defeito enzimático que causa uma neurodegenerativa relatório, hipertonia muscular e espasticidade, convulsões, perda auditiva e em 85% Dos casos de morte precoce, entre outros. A incidência da doença de Krabbe documentado para os Estados Unidos e na Europa é de 1:100.000 recém-nascidos, mas estudos recentes têm mostrado valores maiores do que cerca de 1:22.000, em Nova York. Na América Latina, os relatórios são escassos, com relatos de rastreio de alto risco no Brasil e casos isolados no México, proporcionando um cenário importante subdiagnóstico, a situação não é desconhecida em que a Colômbia, não há literatura Onde sobre a doença. Um estudo de atividade e valores de referência para a enzima β-galactosilceramidase leucocital, foi então apresentado comunidade científica, de 259 amostras de 110 indivíduos saudáveis e​ 149 pacientes com comprometimento neurodegenerativo. A avaliação enzimática envolveu dois métodos (Colorimétrico e Fluorométrico) que permitiram o estabelecimento de uma gama de referência para β-Galsil na técnica Colorimétrica: 2,04-14,93 nmol /mgprot/h e na técnica fluorométrica: 0,3-4,21nmol/mgprot/h. O estudo de triagem permitiu a identificação de um paciente com doença de Krabbe que apresentou valores de atividade expressados ​em nmol / mgprot / h de 1,85 e 0,034, correspondente ao das técnicas descritas acima. Uma conclusão final que valida os dois métodos padronizados para o diagnóstico da doença e estabelecer valores de referência na população colombiano.

Application of next generation sequencing technology for genetic diagnosis of a case with globoid cell leukodystrophy / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore the clinical, radiological features and gene mutation of GALC gene in one child with globoid cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease). Methods The clinical and radiological data of a patient diagnosed with Krabbe disease through next-generation sequencing were retrospectively analyzed. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the results. Results The patient was late infantile form with main manifestations of progressive psychomotor regression and convulsion. Brain MRI showed symmetric long T1 and long T2 signal changes in the white matter next to lateral ventricle angle, posterior limb of internal capsule, and the ministry of corpus callosum. The patient was found to have compound heterozygous mutations of c.1832T>C in exon 15 and c.979T>G in exon 9, which resulted in amino acid changes of p.L611S and p.F327V, respectively. Sanger sequencing results showed that the two heterozygous mutations were correspondingly inherited from his mother and father. Conclusions Next-generation sequencing technology is a useful tool for the detection of GALC gene mutation, which is valuable for definite diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Krabbe disease in clinical practice.

Krabbe's disease in a 28 year old adult - A rare case report .

Krabbe disease (KD) or Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GLD) is a disorder involving the white matter of both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is caused by congenital deficiency of a lysosomal enzyme, galactosylceramidase I, which is responsible for hydrolyzing the galactolipids in myelin. The disease is extremely rare occurring only one in 100,000 to one in 200,000 live births. The disease is classically of infantile origin but it can also occur in older children as well as adults. Adult variant is the rarest type. We hereby report a 34 year old male patient with progressively increasing ataxia, dysarthria. Typical MRI brain changes and diminished leucocyte galactocerebrosidase (GALC) enzyme levels clinched the diagnosis of Krabbe disease. There are very few cases of KD reported from India. This case report is to stress upon the fact that this rare entity should not be missed in an appropriate clinical setting.

Diagnosing lysosomal storage diseases in a Brazilian non-newborn population by tandem mass spectrometry

OBJECTIVES: High-throughput mass spectrometry methods have been developed to screen newborns for lysosomal storage disorders, allowing the implementation of newborn screening pilot studies in North America and Europe. It is currently feasible to diagnose Pompe, Fabry, Gaucher, Krabbe, and Niemann-Pick A/B diseases, as well as mucopolysaccharidosis I, by tandem mass spectrometry in dried blood spots, which offers considerable technical advantages compared with standard methodologies. We aimed to investigate whether the mass spectrometry methodology for lysosomal storage disease screening, originally developed for newborns, can also discriminate between affected patients and controls of various ages. METHODS: A total of 205 control individuals were grouped according to age and subjected to mass spectrometry quantification of lysosomal α-glucosidase, β-glucocerebrosidase, α-galactosidase, acid sphingomyelinase, galactocerebrosidase, and α−L-iduronidase activities. Additionally, 13 affected patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The median activities for each enzyme and each age group were determined. Enzyme activities were significantly lower in individuals aged older than 18 years compared with those in newborns. Affected patients presented enzymatic activities corresponding to less than 20% of the age-matched controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that the mass spectrometry methodology can be used for the screening of lysosomal storage diseases in non-newborn patients. However, for some diseases, such as Fabry and mucopolysaccharidosis I, a combination of biochemical and clinical data may be necessary to achieve accurate diagnoses. .

Clinical Manifestations of Leukodystrophies: A Single Center Study / 대한소아신경학회지

PURPOSE: Leukodystrophies have been defined as inherited metabolic disorders of myelin resulting in abnormal development or progressive destruction of the white matter. This study was performed to investigate the clinical manifestations and treatments of leukodystrophies in a single Korean tertiary center. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of patients who had been diagnosed with leukodystrophy from May 1995 to May 2010 at the Asan Medical Center. RESULTS: During the 15-year study period, 36 cases of leukodystrophies were diagnosed with an verage age at symptom presentation of 49 months. Prominent symptoms at presentation were developmental delay (41%) and seizure (25%); however, nystagmus, developmental regression, hearing loss, gait disturbance, visual disturbance, attention deficit, hypotonia, hyperpigmentation, and hemiparesis were also observed. On MRI, periventricular involvement was noted frequently. The most common diagnoses were adrenoleukodystophy (25%), metachromatic leukodystrophy (11%), Krabbe disease (11%), and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (8.3%). No final diagnosis was made in 14 cases (41%). Bone marrow transplantation was performed in 4 patients and showed favorable prognoses. CONCLUSION: Clinical features of leukodystrophies are not specific to diagnosis and most leukodystrophies remain undiagnosed; however, a logical algorithm based on prevalence could aid the laboratory testing. Because early detection and diagnosis is crucial for treatment and prognosis, it is important to have a high index of suspicion and watchful screening of familial history.

A Korean Case of Infantile Krabbe Disease with a Novel GALC Gene Mutation / 대한소아신경학회지

Krabbe disease is a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the galactocerebrosidase(GALC) gene. The deficiency of GALC activity leads to the accumulation of psychosine, resulting in apoptosis of myelin-forming cells of the central and peripheral nervous system. The patients with typical infantile onset Krabbe disease have extreme irritability, developmental regression, spasticity, and seizures with an onset prior to six months of age. These children usually die within two years after birth. We report a female infant who showed the characteristic clinical manifestations, disease course, and neuroimaging features of infantile onset Krabbe disease that was confirmed by the identification of a compound heterozygous mutation of the GALC gene.

Diagnóstico de leucodistrofia de Krabbe por microscopia electrónica de transmisión: informe de un paciente / Diagnosis of Krabbe's leukodystrophy by transmission electron microscopy: case report

La leucodistrofia de Krabbe es una enfermedad rara en México, por este motivo se reporta un caso de una niña de 11 años. Se describen los estudios ultraestructurales de biopsia de nervio sural. Las vainas de mielina fueron muy delgadas. El citoplasma de las células de Schwann contenía estructuras no membranosas y estructuras en forma de agujas parcialmente curvilíneas de longitud variable. Las inclusiones a menudo tenían material electrodenso o electrolúcido. Estas características representan a la leucodistrofia de Krabbe. Los estudios ultraestructurales ayudan al diagnóstico en los casos en que no se dispone de estudios genéticos o técnicas especiales de laboratorio. En la paciente descrita el diagnóstico de enfermedad de Krabbe se estableció tardíamente de acuerdo con el inicio de los síntomas. El diagnóstico de leucodistrofia de Krabbe se puede evidenciar con el estudio de microscopia electrónica de nervio sural.

Krabbe's leukodystrophy is a rare hereditary disease in Mexico. For that reason we report the case of an 11-year-old child. Ultrastructural studies of sural nerve biopsy specimen are described. Myelin sheaths were uniformly thin for the fiber diameters. Cytoplasm of Schwann cells exhibited a moderate dilatation with non-membrane masses with partly curvilinear, needle-shaped structures of variable length. The inclusions often had electron-dense or electron-lucent halos. These inclusions ultrastructurally represented Krabbe's leukodystrophy, and this method aids in the diagnosis in cases that are not available for genetic studies or special laboratory techniques. In this patient, diagnosis of Krabbe's disease was delayed and established several years after the initial symptoms. Electron microscopic examination of a sural nerve provided evidence for a diagnosis of Krabbe's leukodystrophy.

Late-onset Krabbe's Disease (Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy): A case report

Krabbe's disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hemiplegia, paraplegia, ataxia, cortical blindness, and peripheral neuropathy. This disease is caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase(GALC), resulting in demyelination of white matter of brain and peripheral nerve. We reported a 38-year-old female developed a slowly progressive weakness of lower extremities and gait disturbance since age of 10. Neurological examination revealed spastic weakness of both lower extremities, hyperactive deep tendon reflexes and intrinsic muscle atrophy of both hands and feet. Electrophysiologic study showed uniform demyelinating sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. T2-weighted brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) findings revealed symmetric high signal intensity along the bilateral corticospinal tract. The diagnosis of Krabbe's disease was confirmed by finding of markedly reduced GALC activity in leukocyte. We recommended to consider Krabbe's disease in the diagnosis of patients affecting both central and peripheral nervous system.

Sphingolipidoses / 한양의대학술지

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.

A Case of Krabbe Disease Confirmed by Identification of Mutations in the Galactocerbroside beta-galactosidase Gene (GALC)

Krabbe disease is an autosomal recessive disorder involving white matter caused by deficient activity of the lysosomal galactocerebrosidase (GALC). A typical infantile-onset patient shows developmental regression, spasticity, and seizure before 6 months of age, and dies within 2 years. Previously, one case was confirmed by an enzyme test in Korea. We herein report a 2 year-old girl who showed the characteristic clinical course and neuroimaging features of infantile-onset Krabbe disease. Genetic testing identified the compound heterozygote mutations in the GALC gene; NLWE212_215TP/302A.

A Case of Krabbe Disease with Infantile Spasm

Krabbe disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder clinically characterized by retardation in motor development, prominent spasticity, seizures, and optic atrophy. Pathologically, there are many globoid cells in the white matter, in addition to the lack of myelin and the presence of severe gliosis. Hence Krabbe disease is known as globoid cell leukodystrophy. Biochemically, the primary enzymatic deficiency in Krabbe disease is galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase. Patients with Krabbe disease can be subdivided into the early-onset type and late-onset type, according to the onset of clinical manifestations. Most patients with early-onset type die before their second birthday. We describe a girl with Krabbe disease associated with uncontrolled seizures, which was confirmed with biochemical study and MRI. The clinical findings of this patient included hyperirritability, scissoring of the legs, flexion of arm, and clenching of the fists, and generalized tonic seizures. EEG showed hypsarrhythmia, and MRI demonstrated degenerative white matter changes in bilateral periventricular white matter, posterior rim of internal capsule, basal ganglia and brain stem on T2W1 and FLAIR image. The diagnosis was based on clinical features of progressive neurologic deterioration in conjunction with low galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase activity.

A Case of Krabbe Disease / 대한소아신경학회지

Krabbe disease is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder that affects both the central and peripheral nerve system due to an enzymatic defect of galactocerebroside bata-galactosidase. The patient had typical clinical features of Krabbe disease, with irritability, hypertonicity, failure to thrive, and opisthotonic posturing. A brain MRI demonstrates profound white matter demyelination. The diagnosis of Krabbe disease is suspected on the basis of clinical pictures and confirmed by finding markedly reduced galactocerebroside bata-galactosidase activity in leukocyte or cultured fibroblast. Here we present the first reported case of Krabbe disease in Korea confirmed by decreased activity of galactocerebroside bata-galactosidase enzyme in leukocyte.