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Gaucher's disease is the most common lysosomal storage disorder. Gene defect leads to deficiency or decreased activity of glucocerebrosidase followed by the accumulation of glucosylceramide. Most frequently hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, skeletal and hematological abnormalities are present. Different types are known based on the clinical findings. Recently used enzyme replacement therapy seems to eliminate bone marrow transplantation and has favourable effects on symptoms and outcome. Development of gene therapy (reintroduction of missing DNA sequence) hints the possibility of real causal therapy of the disease.

History and presenting signs and symptoms in 26 Hungarian Gaucher patients are described in order to promote recognition of non-diagnosed patients. Macrophages accumulating glucocerebrosidase due to deficient glucocerebrosidase activity may be present in many organs leading to a wide variety of clinical manifestations. The most common presenting signs and symptoms are splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, hypersplenism with anemia and thrombocytopenia, and bone deterioration. Rare manifestations of Gaucher disease including glomerulonephritis, pericarditis, pericardial calcification, haemorrhagic colitis and amyloidosis are also discussed.