Misdiagnosis of Niemann-Pick disease type C as Gaucher disease.

ABSTRACT: Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a model for inborn errors of metabolism whose gene product mediates molecular trafficking rather than catabolizing macromolecules, as in classic lipidoses. We report the case of an infant who presented with hepatosplenomegaly without neurological abnormalities. Decreased activity of acid β-glucosidase and elevated serum chitotriosidase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase on repeated measurements led to initial diagnosis of Gaucher disease (GD). Failure to respond to enzyme replacement therapy after one year, however, put the diagnosis in question. Cholesterol esterification assays in cultured skin fibroblasts and NPC gene analysis led to the correct diagnosis of NPC. The patient had markedly reduced cholesterol esterification and was a compound hete

SUBMITTER: Lo SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3053412 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature