Long term disease burden post-transplantation: three decades of observations in 25 Hurler patients successfully treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

BACKGROUND: Mucopolysaccharidosis type I-Hurler syndrome (MPSI-H) is a lysosomal storage disease characterized by severe physical symptoms and cognitive decline. Early treatment with hematopoietic cell transplant (HSCT) is critical to the survival of these patients. While survival rates and short-term outcomes are known to be improved by HSCT, the long-term cognitive, adaptive and psychosocial functional outcomes of children with (MPSI-H) post-HSCT are not well documented. This manuscript focuses on retrospective long-term follow-up (7-33 years) of 25 MPSI-H patients, transplanted between 1986 and 2011. RESULTS: The median age at transplantation was 21 months (range 12-57 months). Except for one death, all successfully transplanted MPSI-H patients surviving at least 1 year after HSCT are alive to-date, with a median age of 21 years (range 8-36 years) at the last follow-up evaluation. A majority of HSCT grafts were bone marrow transplants (BMT), resulting in durable full chimerism in 18 (72%). Pre-HSCT, the onset of first symptoms occurred very early, at a median age of 3 months (range birth-16 months). The most prevalent symptoms before MPSI-H diagnosis involved progressive dysostosis multiplex; almost all patients suffered from hip dysplasia and thoracolumbar spine Kyphosis. Despite HSCT, considerable residual disease burden and ensuing corrective surgical interventions were observed in all, and at every decade of follow-up post HSCT. Late-onset psychiatric manifestations were significant (n = 17 patients; 68%), including depression in 13 patients at a median onset age of 18 years (range 13-31 years), hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder (n = 4), and multiple acute psychotic episodes (APE), independent of depression observed (n = 3) at a median onset age of 18 years (range 17-31 years). The adult Welscher Intelligence Scale results (n = 16) were heterogenous across the four scale dimensions; overall lower scores were observed on both working memory index (median WMI = 69.5) and processing speed index (median PSI = 65), whereas verbal comprehension index (median VCI = 79) and perceptual reasoning index (median PRI = 74) were higher. CONCLUSION: With advanced treatment options, MPSI-H are living into 3rd and 4th decades of life, however not disease free and with poor adaptation. Residual disease (loss of mobility, limited gross and fine motor skills; low cognitive ability; suboptimal cardiopulmonary function, vision and hearing) negatively impacts the quality of life and psychosocial functioning of affected individuals.

Recognition of alpha-mannosidosis in paediatric and adult patients: Presentation of a diagnostic algorithm from an international working group.

Alpha-mannosidosis is an ultra-rare progressive lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of alpha-mannosidase. Timely diagnosis of the disease has the potential to influence patient outcomes as preventive therapies can be initiated at an early stage. However, no internationally-recognised algorithm is currently available for the diagnosis of the disease. With the aim of developing a diagnostic algorithm for alpha-mannosidosis an international panel of experts met to reach a consensus by applying the nominal group technique. Two proposals were developed for diagnostic algorithms of alpha-mannosidosis, one for patients ≤10 years of age and one for those >10 years of age. In younger patients, hearing impairment and/or speech delay are the cardinal symptoms that should prompt the clinician to look for additional symptoms that may provide further diagnostic clues. Older patients have different clinical presentations, and the presence of mental retardation and motor impairment progression and/or psychiatric manifestations should prompt the clinician to assess for other symptoms. In both younger and older patients, either additional metabolic monitoring or referral for testing is warranted upon suspicion of disease. Oligosaccharides in urine (historically performed) or serum were considered as an initial screening procedure, while enzymatic activity may also be considered as first choice in some centres. Molecular testing should be performed as a final confirmatory step. The developed algorithms can easily be applied in a variety of settings, and may help to favour early diagnosis of alpha mannosidosis and treatment.

The effect of galsulfase enzyme replacement therapy on the growth of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome).

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder arising from deficient activity of N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase (arylsulfatase B) and subsequent intracellular accumulation of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) dermatan sulfate and chondroitin-4-sulfate. Manifestations are multi-systemic and include skeletal abnormalities such as dysostosis multiplex and short stature. Reference height-for-age growth charts for treatment-naïve MPS VI patients have been published for both the slowly and rapidly progressing populations. Categorization of disease progression for these charts was based on urinary GAG (uGAG) level; high (>200µg/mg creatinine) levels identified subjects as rapidly progressing. Height data for 141 patients who began galsulfase treatment by the age of 18years were collected and stratified by baseline uGAG level and age at ERT initiation in 3-year increments. The reference MPS VI growth charts were used to calculate change in Z-score from pre-treatment baseline to last follow-up. Among patients with high baseline uGAG levels, galsulfase ERT was associated with an increase in Z-score for those beginning treatment at 0-3, >3-6, >6-9, >9-12, and >12-15years of age (p<0.05). Increases in Z-score were not detected for patients who began treatment between 15 and 18years of age, nor for patients with low (≤200µg/mg creatinine) baseline uGAG levels, regardless of age at treatment initiation. The largest positive deviation from untreated reference populations was seen in the high uGAG excretion groups who began treatment by 6years of age, suggesting an age- and severity-dependent impact of galsulfase ERT on growth.

Clinical outcomes in a subpopulation of adults with Morquio A syndrome: results from a long-term extension study of elosulfase alfa.

BACKGROUND: This post hoc subanalysis examined outcomes in adult patients with Morquio A (mucopolysaccharidosis IVA) who received enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with elosulfase alfa over a 120-weeks period. Patients ≥18 years of age evaluated in an open-label, long-term extension study of elosulfase alfa (modified per protocol [MPP], n = 32; intent-to-treat [ITT], n = 37; MOR-005; NCT01415427) were compared with the ≥18-year-old untreated population with 2-years follow-up from a Morquio A natural history study (n = 10; MorCAP; NCT00787995). The MOR-005 MPP population excluded patients who underwent orthopedic surgical procedures or were noncompliant with study protocol (defined as missing ≥20% of ERT infusions). No MorCAP patients underwent orthopedic surgical procedures during the relevant time period. Endurance was assessed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and 3-min stair climb test (3MSCT). Activities of daily living (ADLs) were assessed by the MPS Health Assessment Questionnaire (MPS HAQ). RESULTS: Least squares (LS) mean (SE) 6MWT distances increased by 34.9 (11.7) m (MPP) and 30.5 (10.8) m (ITT) by week 120; LS mean (SE) change in 3MSCT at week 120 was 6.7 (1.8) stairs/min (MPP) and 5.9 (1.7) stairs/min (ITT). MorCAP patients showed no improvement in 6MWT distance or 3MSCT over a similar period of time. Pulmonary function measures remained unchanged in both MOR-005 and MorCAP adults. All MPS HAQ domain scores improved in MOR-005 adults, whereas MorCAP adults had unchanged caregiver assistance and mobility outcomes and worsened self-care outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term ERT in adult patients with Morquio A was associated with increased endurance and improvement in performance of ADLs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial Registration NCT01415427 . Name of registry: Long-Term Efficacy and Safety Extension Study of BMN 110 in Patients With Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (Morquio A Syndrome). Registered 8 August 2011, retrospectively registered.

RECURRENCE OF POMPE DISEASE IN FIRST COUSINS.

We report on the cases of two first-degree non-consanguineous cousins with infantile-onset Pompe disease, a rare autosomal recessive disease. The first patient developed cardiorespiratory failure at age 1 year. When she was 4 her male cousin developed hypotonia during his first month of life. Both infants had cardiac hypertrophy at diagnosis and shared the c.1927G>A missense mutation. Since a first degree cousin of an affected patient has 50 times the risk of developing the disease compared with unrelated infants and since cardiac hypertrophy is constant in affected infants, the combination of cardiac symptoms with a history of Pompe disease in a first degree cousin leads to a very high probability of having the condition. Clinically oriented screening based on simple diagnostic procedures such as echocardiogram and anamnesis could accelerate the initiation of enzyme replacement therapy of the deficient acid α-glucosidase which is critical to restoring cardiac function in affected infants.

Enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis VI: long-term cardiac effects of galsulfase (Naglazyme®) therapy.

Characteristic cardiac valve abnormalities and left ventricular hypertrophy are present in untreated patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI). Cardiac ultrasound was performed to investigate these findings in subjects during long-term enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human arylsulfatase B (rhASB, rhN-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase, galsulfase, Naglazyme®). Studies were conducted in 54 subjects before ERT was begun and at specific intervals for up to 96 weeks of weekly infusions of rhASB at 1 mg/kg during phase 1/2, phase 2, and phase 3 trials of rhASB. At baseline, mitral and aortic valve obstruction was present and was significantly greater in those ≥12 years of age. Mild mitral and trace aortic regurgitation were present, the former being significantly greater in those <12 years. Left ventricular hypertrophy, with averaged z-scores ranging from 1.6-1.9 SD greater than normal, was present for ages both <12 and ≥12 years. After 96 weeks of ERT, ventricular septal hypertrophy regressed in those <12 years. For those ≥12 years, septal hypertrophy was unchanged, and aortic regurgitation increased statistically but not physiologically. Obstructive gradients across mitral and aortic valves remained unchanged. The results suggest that long-term ERT is effective in reducing intraventricular septal hypertrophy and preventing progression of cardiac valve abnormalities when administered to those <12 years of age.

Comprehensive cDNA study and quantitative analysis of mutant HADHA and HADHB transcripts in a French cohort of 52 patients with mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Deficiency of mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP) is caused by mutations in the HADHA and HADHB genes, which have been mostly delineated at the genomic DNA level and have not been always elucidated. AIM: To identify mutations in a French cohort of 52 MTP deficient patients and the susceptibility of mutations generating premature termination codons (PTCs) to the nonsense mRNA mediated decay (NMD). METHODS: Mutation screening in fibroblasts was performed at the cDNA level and real-time RT-PCR was used to compare the levels of the different PTC-bearing mRNAs before and after a treatment of fibroblasts by emetine, a translation inhibitor. RESULTS: A mutation detection rate of 100% was achieved. A total of 22 novel mutations were identified, including a large-sized genomic deletion in HADHB gene. A high proportion of all identified mutations were non-sense, frameshift and splicing mutations, generating (PTCs), distributed essentially on HADHA coding regions. We could demonstrate that the majority of mutations resulting in PTCs conform to the established rules governing the susceptibility to NMD. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the value of cDNA analysis in the characterization of HADHA and HADHB mutations and further strengthen the model of haploinsufficiency as a major pathomechanism in MTP defects.

[Ocular manifestations in patients affected by Morquio syndrome (MPS IV)]. / Manifestations ophtalmologiques de la maladie de Morquio.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ocular manifestations in patients suffering from Morquio syndrome. METHODS: We reviewed the hospital records of 20 patients who underwent ophthalmological follow-up at hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, Bron, France, between December 2008 and February 2010. RESULTS: This retrospective study included 20 patients: 12 males and eight females. The mean age at the beginning of the retrospective study was 23 years. The most common ocular manifestations encountered, in order of frequency, were: corneal opacification (13/20), astigmatism (12/20) and the presence of punctate cataract (6/20). Visual acuity after optical correction was over 7/10 on average. The average best corrected visual acuity was estimated to be over 0.7. CONCLUSION: Although ocular complications in Morquio syndrome appeared to be associated with relatively well preserved visual acuity, ophthalmological follow-up is recommended to identify potentially curable complications such as astigmatism or lens opacities.

[Unusual pulmonary presentation of lysinuric protein intolerance]. / Atteinte pulmonaire inhabituelle au cours d'une intolérance aux protéines avec lysinurie.

A 28-year-old girl suffering from lysinuric protein intolerance was referred on account of severe chronic respiratory failure. Since childhood she had failure to thrive with chronic hyperammonaemia and interstitial lung disease but normal respiratory function. At the age of 21, she experienced haemoptysis and worsening of the respiratory disease. CT scan of the chest showed bilateral, symmetrical ground glass opacities and subpleural cysts. At the age of 25, nocturnal non-invasive ventilation was initiated. Lysinuric protein intolerance is an exceptional genetic cause of interstitial lung disease.

Multidisciplinary management of Hunter syndrome.

Hunter syndrome is a rare, X-linked disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase. In the absence of sufficient enzyme activity, glycosaminoglycans accumulate in the lysosomes of many tissues and organs and contribute to the multisystem, progressive pathologies seen in Hunter syndrome. The nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems can be involved in individuals with Hunter syndrome. Although the management of some clinical problems associated with the disease may seem routine, the management is typically complex and requires the physician to be aware of the special issues surrounding the patient with Hunter syndrome, and a multidisciplinary approach should be taken. Subspecialties such as otorhinolaryngology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, cardiology, anesthesiology, pulmonology, and neurodevelopment will all have a role in management, as will specialty areas such as physiotherapy, audiology, and others. The important management topics are discussed in this review, and the use of enzyme-replacement therapy with recombinant human iduronate-2-sulfatase as a specific treatment for Hunter syndrome is presented.

[Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome]. / Maladie d'Imerslund-Gräsbeck.

Anemia is a very common symptom encountered in numerous clinical situations in pediatrics. Etiologies range from classic iron-deficiency anemia to the more particular etiologies. We report on a clinical history where usual symptoms such as asthenia, drowsiness and proteinuria provided a rare diagnosis: Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome. We discuss the exams to be done with aregenerative macrocytic anemia so as not to underestimate these diagnoses, which each require adapted treatments.

Natural history of Niemann-Pick disease type C in a multicentre observational retrospective cohort study.

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NP-C) is a devastating genetic disorder characterised by progressive neurological deterioration. However, data on the progression of neurological manifestations, particularly across different patient age-of-disease onsets, are limited. This is an observational retrospective cohort study designed to assess the progression of neurological disease in patients with NP-C. Physicians were asked to retrospectively complete a web-based questionnaire for each patient, at diagnosis and at up to three follow-up visits. An NP-C-specific disability scale was used to measure disease progression. The scale comprised four key parameters of neurological disease progression; ambulation, manipulation, language and swallowing. Disease progression was evaluated based on the annual rate of change in each parameter and the composite score using a linear mixed model analysis, and by classifying patients according to the number of worsened parameters during the observation period. Data were collected from 57 patients. The rate of deterioration was similar across the four individual parameters of the disability scale. The mean (95% CI) annual disease progression was +0.12 (0.09, 0.15) units. Among patients with a time interval of at least 1 year between diagnosis and last visit (n=49), 42 (86%) patients had progressed disease and 7 (14%) patients had stable disease. Disease progression was consistently more rapid in patients diagnosed in early childhood, compared with those diagnosed in late childhood, or with juvenile or adult presentation. In conclusion, our findings showed a progression in all four parameters of the disability scale, representing a continuous, unbroken progression of neurological manifestations.

Prediction of outcome in isolated methylmalonic acidurias: combined use of clinical and biochemical parameters.

Objectives Isolated methylmalonic acidurias (MMAurias) are caused by deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase or by defects in the synthesis of its cofactor 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin. The aim of this study was to evaluate which parameters best predicted the long-term outcome. Methods Standardized questionnaires were sent to 20 European metabolic centres asking for age at diagnosis, birth decade, diagnostic work-up, cobalamin responsiveness, enzymatic subgroup (mut(0), mut(-), cblA, cblB) and different aspects of long-term outcome. Results 273 patients were included. Neonatal onset of the disease was associated with increased mortality rate, high frequency of developmental delay, and severe handicap. Cobalamin non-responsive patients with neonatal onset born in the 1970s and 1980s had a particularly poor outcome. A more favourable outcome was found in patients with late onset of symptoms, especially when cobalamin responsive or classified as mut(-). Prevention of neonatal crises in pre-symptomatically diagnosed newborns was identified as a protective factor concerning handicap. Chronic renal failure manifested earlier in mut(0) patients than in other enzymatic subgroups. Conclusion Outcome in MMAurias is best predicted by the enzymatic subgroup, cobalamin responsiveness, age at onset and birth decade. The prognosis is still unfavourable in patients with neonatal metabolic crises and non-responsiveness to cobalamin, in particular mut(0) patients.

Diagnostic work-up and management of patients with isolated methylmalonic acidurias in European metabolic centres.

The long-term outcome of patients with methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is still uncertain due to a high frequency of complications such as chronic renal failure and metabolic stroke. The understanding of this disease is hampered by a huge variation in the management of these patients. The major aim of this study was to evaluate the current practice in different European metabolic centres. A standardized questionnaire was sent to 20 metabolic centres asking for standard procedures for confirmation of diagnosis, testing cobalamin responsiveness, dietary treatment, pharmacotherapy, and biochemical and clinical monitoring. Sixteen of 20 metabolic centres (80%) returned questionnaires on 183 patients: 89 of the patients were classified as mut(0), 36 as mut(-), 13 as cblA, 7 as cblB, and 38 as cblA/B. (1) Confirmation of diagnosis: All centres investigate enzyme activity by propionate fixation in fibroblasts; six centres also perform mutation analysis. (2) Cobalamin response: Ten centres follow standardized protocols showing large variations. A reliable exclusion of nonspecific effects has not yet been achieved by these protocols. (3) Long-term treatment: In cobalamin-responsive patients, most centres use hydroxocobalamin (1-14 mg/week i.m. or 5-20 mg/week orally), while two centres use cyanocobalamin. All cobalamin-nonresponsive patients and most cobalamin-responsive patients are supplemented with L: -carnitine (50-100 mg/kg per day). Fourteen centres use intestinal decontamination by antibiotic therapy. Most centres follow D-A-CH (n = 6) or Dewey (n = 4) recommendations for protein requirements. Fourteen centres regularly use precursor-free amino acid supplements. Standardized monitoring protocols are available in seven centres, again showing high variability.

NTBC treatment in tyrosinaemia type I: long-term outcome in French patients.

We describe a retrospective study of long-term outcome of 46 patients treated and regularly followed in France with 2-(2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-1, 3-cyclohexanedione (NTBC) for tyrosinaemia type I. Most had initial good response with normalization of liver function and metabolic parameters. Only one infant had no response to treatment and required liver transplantation. Among the 45 long-term treated patients, three underwent secondary liver transplantation: one for cirrhosis and two because of hepatocellular carcinoma. One of the latter died of transplantation complications, so that the overall survival rate was 97.5%. However, 17 of 45 showed persistent abnormal liver imaging (heterogeneous liver) and 6 had cirrhosis. Furthermore, 15 had persistently elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein, highlighting the question of the persistent risk of carcinoma. Quality of life was usually good but compliance problems were frequent, mainly regarding the low phenylalanine-tyrosine diet. Few adverse effects were observed. A main concern was the high frequency of cognitive impairment causing schooling problems, which may be related to persistent chronic hypertyrosinaemia. In conclusion, this series confirms that NTBC treatment has clearly improved the vital prognosis and quality of life of tyrosinaemia type I patients but that many late complications persist. Long-term studies are necessary to determine whether this drug may prevent or only delay liver complications, andto survey the possible risks of the drug. A more restricted diet could be necessary to prevent the neurological impact of the disease.

[Gaucher disease in childhood]. / Maladie de Gaucher: particularités cliniques chez l'enfant.

Gaucher disease is well-known in adult patients and must be regarded as a pediatric disease, two thirds of the patients manifesting before the age of 20. Three clinical forms have been defined based on the presence of neurological involvement. Gaucher disease type 1, without neurological signs, generally begins before the five years age with splenomegaly as the main symptom. The bone crises are more frequent than in adulthood. Gaucher disease type 2 or acute neuronopathic form begins between three and six months and do not have any treatment. Type 3 or chronic neuronopathic form appears like a type 1 with progressive horizontal saccade-initiation failure and developmental delay. Onset in childhood is predictive of a severe and progressive phenotype. The presence of neurological symptoms induces important consequences for treatment, prognosis and genetic counselling.

[Current development and usefulness of biomarkers for Gaucher disease follow up]. / Actualité et utilité des biomarqueurs pour le suivi de la maladie de Gaucher.

Gaucher's disease is due to glucocerebrosidase deficiency which is responsible for the accumulation of non degraded glucosylceramide within the lysosomes of macrophages: these "Gaucher cells", overloaded and alternatively activated, release in patient's plasma numerous compounds (cytokines, chemokines, hydrolases...) some of which contribute to the various tissue damages. Some of these compounds are surrogate biomarkers which contribute to the evaluation of disease severity, progression and stabilisation or regression during treatment. To date, the most interesting biomarkers are chitotriosidase and the chemokine CCL18/PARC, especially in chitotriosidase deficient patients. These biomarkers together with the clinical evaluation help to therapeutic choice (treatment by enzyme replacement therapy or substrate reduction therapy) and initiation decision, response follow-up and dose adjustments. Biomarkers should be assessed every 12 months together with clinical evaluation in patients not receiving specific treatments. An assessment every 3 months is recommended during the first year of treatment. Then when clinical goals have been achieved, the frequency can be reduced to every 12 months if the therapeutic scheme is not modified.

Attenuated type I mucopolysaccharidosis in the differential diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a series of 13 patients with Scheie syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a genetic lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficient activity of the enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase. Incomplete breakdown of glycosaminoglycans leads to progressive accumulation of these substances in many tissues throughout the body. Patients with the less severe form of MPS I (Scheie syndrome) usually present in the first decade of life with frequent articular involvement, and may survive into adulthood. Especially in these attenuated phenotypes, a definitive diagnosis may be delayed for years because clusters of early symptoms are difficult to recognize for physicians not familiar with the disease, and since the disease progresses slowly over decades. We would like to increase the awareness of this type of MPS I disease among rheumatologists and unravel diagnostic pitfalls. METHODS: We have reviewed medical histories of 13 patients (6 males and 7 females) with Scheie syndrome seen in 5 European centers. RESULTS: All patients had prominent musculoskeletal involvement at the onset of their disease in childhood. Diagnosis was delayed in almost all cases (range 4-54 years). CONCLUSION: We suggest that patients who present with progressive non-inflammatory joint involvement in the first decade of life, particularly with stiffness of the fingers and difficulty using the hands, should be screened for metabolic diseases, including MPS I. MPS I should be considered if patients with arthropathy lack the typical characteristics of inflammatory arthropathy.

[Gaucher disease and chitotriosidase]. / Maladie de Gaucher et chitotriosidase.

The course of chitotriosidase levels was studied in 4 patients with type 1 Gaucher disease during treatment or during modifications to dosage or the frequency of administration. It proved to be a good marker of disease progression, before and during treatment. In the 4 patients treated by enzyme therapy, an increase in chitotriosidase levels before treatment and then its rapid and persistent decrease after treatment initiation closely followed the efficacy of the latter. When doses were reduced, the activity of chitotriosidase made it possible to check on the persisting efficacy of treatment and to detect at an early stage any insufficient dosage or poor compliance with treatment before any clinical complications arose. During any discontinuation of treatment (e.g. for pregnancy), its assay made it possible to plan a rapid resumption of treatment if necessary. For this reason, it is useful to assay this marker before initiating any treatment, and to regularly monitor changes in its levels and concentration, notably in the event of a dosage change or increase in the interval between intakes.

[Relation between ocular manifestations and organ involvement in ten patients with Fabry disease]. / Relation entre les manifestations ophtalmologiques et les atteintes générales chez dix patients atteints de la maladie de Fabry.

PURPOSE: To describe ocular manifestations in Fabry disease and compare them to other organ involvement in this disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients were included in a clinical trial, all of whom had specialized investigations in ophthalmology, cardiology, nephrology and dermatology. RESULTS: All the patients presented with ocular damage, some of which were rather characteristic of this disease, such as cornea verticillata and spoke-like cataract. However, such anomalies were not responsible for any visual acuity changes in most patients. Some patients had renal or cardiovascular damage at early stages of the disease. We therefore tried to establish a correlation between the severity of such involvement and ocular damage. CONCLUSION: Many ocular manifestations are frequently observed that should suggest a diagnosis of Fabry disease. However, there is no clear relationship between the presentation of the systemic cardiac and renal manifestations of the disease and the presence of ocular abnormalities.