Search

Summary:Over the last 15 years, we have performed a total of 30 haematopoietic stem cell transplants on 27 children suffering from Hurler's syndrome. These children were of median age 11 months at the time of diagnosis and 25 months at the time of transplantation. The phenotype was severe in 21 cases (78%). The donor was familial in 13 cases: nine genotypically identical, one phenotypically identical father and three HLA-mismatched donors. Unrelated donors were selected in 17 cases: four phenotypically identical and 13 with 1-4 HLA mismatches. The conditioning regimen generally consisted of busulphan 600?mg/m2 plus cyclophosphamide (Endoxan®) 260?mg/kg and cyclosporin with methotrexate for GvHD prophylaxis. Rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (Thymoglobuline®) was given for all unrelated or familial mismatched transplantations. The median nucleated cell dose infused was 6.00 x 108 TNC/kg. No bone marrow (apart from one) was T cell depleted. For first transplants, engraftment was observed in 23/27 patients (pts) (85%). Primary graft failure was observed in 4/27 patients (16%), two were retransplanted from an unrelated donor, one with success. Four patients have died. The primary cause of death was infection in three cases (TRM : 11%) and disease progression in one case, after primary graft failure. Of the 23 living patients, two have disease progression after graft failure and 21 (78%) have functional grafts with a favourable long-term outcome after a median follow-up of 4.7 years, having either full or mixed chimaerism. Among surviving patients with functional grafts, 13 (62%) were transplanted from unrelated donors of whom 10 (77 %) had HLA disparities. There was a remarkably low incidence of GvHD. In our experience, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation using an HLA-matched familial donor or an HLA-matched or -mismatched unrelated donor without T cell depletion or irradiation can achieve a favourable outcome... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic investigation of hyperphenylalaninaemic infants for tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency has recently led to the description of new variants of cofactor deficiency. In the present case, the initial observation was of hyperphenylalaninaemia with a significant increase in the neopterin to biopterin ratio in the urine. A tetrahydrobiopterin loading test resulted in a significant decrease of blood phenylalanine levels. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biopterin and neurotransmitter metabolite levels were within the normal range. The in vivo clearance of phenylalanine remained altered despite a high dietary tolerance. At 9 months of age, the patient was clinically well, but minor neurological signs appeared when blood phenylalanine levels increased. These data were similar to those found in the so-called "peripheral form" of tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency. However, an unidentified pteridine-like compound had been found in the urine and CSF since the birth, suggesting the existence of an unknown block in the biosynthetic pathway of biopterin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two siblings with molybdenum cofactor deficiency are presented. They showed clinical, biochemical and neuroradiological features very similar to those of the few previously described cases. Difficulties in diagnosis are emphasised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the clinical and biochemical data of a patient with infantile isolated sulphite oxidase deficiency with late onset of symptoms. A comparison of the biochemical parameters is made with the neonatal type of this disease and with the data of described patients with the combined defect of sulphite oxidase and xanthine oxidase, due to molybdenum cofactor deficiency. False-negative sulphite dip stick test as a pitfall in the diagnosis of sulphite oxidase deficiency is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the clinical and biochemical data of a patient with infantile isolated sulphite oxidase deficiency with late onset of symptoms. A comparison of the biochemical parameters is made with the neonatal type of this disease and with the data of described patients with the combined defect of sulphite oxidase and xanthine oxidase, due to molybdenum cofactor deficiency. False-negative sulphite dip stick test as a pitfall in the diagnosis of sulphite oxidase deficiency is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]