Acidemia propiónica: una causa sumamente rara de linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica en un lactante / Propionic acidemia: an extremely rare cause of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an infant

La linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica (LHH) puede ser primaria (hereditaria) o secundaria a infecciones, tumores malignos, trastornos reumatológicos, síndromes de inmunodeficiencia y metabolopatías. Se informaron casos de intolerancia a la proteína lisinúrica, deficiencia de múltiples sulfatasas, galactosemia, enfermedad de Gaucher, síndrome de Pearson y galactosialidosis. No se sabe cómo se desencadena la LHH en las metabolopatías. Se diagnosticó LHH en un lactante de 2 meses con letargo, palidez, alimentación deficiente, hepatoesplenomegalia, fiebre y pancitopenia, y se instauró el protocolo HLH-2004. Se realizaron, en conjunto, análisis para detectar mutaciones genéticas y pruebas metabólicas; los resultados fueron negativos para las mutaciones genéticas de LHH primaria, pero se detectaron hiperamoniemia y concentración elevada de metilcitrato. Se diagnosticó acidemia propiónica. Aquí informamos sobre un caso de LHH secundaria a acidemia propiónica. Es posible la realización simultánea de pruebas de detección de trastornos metabólicos y de mutaciones genéticas para el diagnóstico temprano en los lactantes con LHH

Hemophagocytic lymphohystiocytosis (HLH) may be primary (inherited/familial) or secondary to infections, malignancies, rheumatologic disorders, immune deficiency syndromes and metabolic diseases. Cases including lysinuric protein intolerance, multiple sulfatase deficiency, galactosemia, Gaucher disease, Pearson syndrome, and galactosialidosis have previously been reported. It is unclear how the metabolites trigger HLH in metabolic diseases. A 2-month-old infant with lethargy, pallor, poor feeding, hepatosplenomegaly, fever and pancytopenia, was diagnosed with HLH and the HLH-2004 treatment protocol was initiated. Analysis for primary HLH gene mutations and metabolic screening tests were performed together; primary HLH gene mutations were negative, but hyperammonemia and elevated methyl citrate were detected. Propionic acidemia was diagnosed with tandem mass spectrometry in neonatal dried blood spot. We report this case of HLH secondary to propionic acidemia. Both metabolic disorder screening tests and gene mutation analysis may be performed simultaneously especially for early diagnosis in infants presenting with HLH.

Acidemia propiónica: diagnóstico clínico vs. cribado neonatal / Propionic acidemia: clinical diagnosis vs newborn screening

La acidemia propiónica es una rara enfermedad metabólica (prevalencia: 1/100 000), cuya detección puede hacerse de forma precoz mediante el cribado neonatal en las primeras 72 horas de vida. Puede tener una presentación neonatal grave, tardía intermitente o crónica progresiva. El tratamiento de las crisis consiste en la inversión del catabolismo que detiene la ingesta proteica con aporte intravenoso de calorías no proteicas. La mortalidad depende, fundamentalmente, de los episodios de descompensación aguda, mientras que la evolución asocia una alta tasa de secuelas neurológicas y déficits cognitivos.Se presenta el caso de una recién nacida de 11 días de vida con clínica de estancamiento ponderal, letargia, acidosis metabólica e hiperamonemia, que, debido a una falla en el proceso de cribado, no se benefició del diagnóstico precoz.A pesar de la ya existente detección por cribado, es vital mantener un alto índice de sospecha en casos sugestivos de metabolopatías.

Propionic acidemia is a rare metabolic disease (prevalence 1/100,000) that can be early detected with the newborn metabolic screening within the first 72 hours of life. It can have a severe neonatal presentation, a late intermittent onset or a chronic and progressive course. The treatment in the crisis consists in inverting the catabolism by pausing the protein intake and giving intravenous non-protein calories. Mortality depends mainly on acute episodes of decompensation, while evolution and prognosis associate a high rate of neurological sequelae and cognitive deficiencies.We present the case of an 11-day-old female newborn with failure to thrive, lethargy, metabolic acidosis and hyperammonemia that, because of a failed newborn screening process, could not be early diagnosed.In spite of the existence of early detection with the newborn metabolic screening, it is very important to keep a high suspicion in cases that suggest metabolic disorders.

Emerging trends in management of propionic acidemia / Tendências emergentes no manejo da academia propiônica

Objetivo : To evaluate the therapeutic agents used during metabolic crises and in long-term management of patients with propionic acidemia (PA).Materials and methods : The records of PA patients were retrospectively evaluated.Results : The study group consisted of 30 patients with 141 admissions. During metabolic crises, hyperammonemia was found in 130 (92%) admissions and almost all patients were managed with normal saline, ≥ 10% dextrose, and restriction of protein intake. In 56 (40%) admissions, management was done in intensive care unit, 31 (22%) with mechanical ventilation, 10 (7%) with haemodialysis, 16 (11%) with vasopressor agents, and 12 (9%) with insulin. In the rescue procedure, L-carnitine was used in 135 (96%) patients, sodium bicarbonate in 116 (82%), sodium benzoate in 76 (54%), and metronidazole in 10 (7%), biotin in about one-quarter, L-arginine in one third, and antibiotics in three-quarter of the admissions. Blood/packed RBCs were used in 28 (20%) patients, platelets in 26 (18%), fresh frozen plasma in 8 (6%), and granulocyte-colony stimulating factors in 10 (7%) admissions. All patients were managed completely/partially with medical nutrition formula plus amino acid mixture, vitamins and minerals. For long-term management 24 (80%) patients were on L-carnitine, 22 (73%) on sodium benzoate, 6 (20%) on biotin, one half on alkaline therapy and 4 (13%) on regular metronidazole use. Almost all patients were on medical formula and regular follow-up.Conclusion : Aggressive and adequate management of acute metabolic crises with restriction of protein intake, stabilization of patient, reversal of catabolism, and removal of toxic metabolites are essential steps. Concerted efforts to ensure adequate nutrition, to minimize the risk of acute decompensation and additional therapeutic advances are imperative to improve the outcome of PA patients. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(3):237-42.

Objetivo : Avaliar os agentes terapêuticos usados durante as crises metabólicas e para o manejo de longo prazo de pacientes com academia propiônica (AP).Materiais e métodos : Avaliação retrospectiva das fichas médicas de pacientes com AP.Resultados : O grupo estudado consistiu de 30 pacientes com 141 hospitalizações. Durante as crises metabólicas, a hiperamonemia foi observada em 130 (92%) pacientes hospitalizados e quase todos foram tratados com solução salina regular, ≥ 10% dextrose e restrição da ingestão de proteína. Em 56 (40%) das hospitalizações, o manejo foi feito na unidade de terapia intensiva, 31(22%) com ventilação mecânica, 10 (7%) com hemodiálise, 16 (11%) com vasopressores e 12 (9%) com insulina. Para o resgate, a L-carnitina foi usada em 135 (96%) pacientes, o bicarbonato de sódio em 116 (82%), o benzoato de sódio em 76 (54%), o metronidazole em 10 (7%), a biotina em cerca de um quarto, a L-arginina em um quarto e antibióticos em três quartos dos pacientes hospitalizados. Sangue/concentrado de hemácias foram usados em 28 (20%), plaquetas em 26 (18%), plasma fresco congelado em 8 (6%) e fatores estimulantes de colônias de granulócitos em 10 (7%) pacientes hospitalizados. Todos os pacientes foram manejados completamente/parcialmente com fórmula de nutrição hospitalar mais uma mistura de aminoácidos, vitaminas e minerais. Para o manejo de longo prazo, 24 (80%) dos pacientes foram tratados com L-carnitina, 22 (73%) com benzoato de sódio, 6 (20%) com biotina, a metade com tratamento alcalino e 4 (13%) com uso regular de metronidazole. Quase todos os pacientes foram tratados com fórmulas médicas e acompanhamento regular.Conclusão : O manejo adequado e agressivo de crises metabólicas com restrição da ingestão de proteína, ...

Acidemia propiónica neonatal con deterioro neurológico, rechazo al alimento y emesis reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Neonatal-onset propionic acidemia neurologic deficit, poor feeding and vomiting - a case report and literature review

Paciente pretérmino que reingresa a la unidad de recién nacidos de la Clínica Universitaria Colombia, Bogotá DC, por problemas en la alimentación y pobre ganancia ponderal, a quien se le diagnosticó acidemia propiónica mediante cromatografía de ácidos orgánicos en orina. Los errores innatos del metabolismo son entidades que a pesar de tener una baja incidencia, se deben considerar en todo neonato con encefalopatía, problemas en la alimentación o pobre ganancia ponderal, entre otras manifestaciones, ya que el diagnóstico temprano y tratamiento oportuno previenen la aparición de secuelas neurológicas con retardo del desarrollo psicomotor y muerte temprana.

Preterm infant readmitted to the neonatal unit at ClínicaUniversitaria Colombia, Bogotá DC, presenting poor feeding and delays in normal growth velocity, who was diagnosed with propionic acidemiaby means of a urine organic acid profiling by chromatography. Although its low incidence, inborn metabolic disorders must be considered in any newborn presenting with encefalopathy, poor feeding or delays in normal growth velocity, among other manifestations for early diagnosisandprompt treatment preventneurological sequellae including psychomotor retardation and early neonatal death.