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Giacomarra M, Colomba P, Francofonte D, Zora M, Caocci G, Diomede D, Giuffrida G, Fiori L, Montanari C, Sapuppo A, Scortechini AR, Vitturi N, Duro G, Zizzo C. Gaucher Disease or Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency? The Importance of Differential Diagnosis. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1487. [PMID: 38592326 PMCID: PMC10932152 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by functional glucocerebrosidase enzyme deficiency. Hepatosplenomegaly and hematological complications are found in both Gaucher disease and Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency, which is caused by acid sphingomyelinase dysfunction. The possible overlap in clinical presentation can cause diagnostic errors in differential diagnosis. For this reason, in patients with an initial clinical suspicion of Gaucher disease, we aimed to carry out a parallel screening of acid sphingomyelinase and glucocerebrosidase. Methods: Peripheral blood samples of 627 patients were collected, and enzymatic activity analysis was performed on both glucocerebrosidase and acid sphingomyelinase. The specific gene was studied in samples with null or reduced enzymatic activity. Specific molecular biomarkers helped to achieve the correct diagnosis. Results: In 98.7% of patients, normal values of glucocerebrosidase activity excluded Gaucher disease. In 8 of 627 patients (1.3%), the glucocerebrosidase enzymatic activity assay was below the normal range, so genetic GBA1 analysis confirmed the enzymatic defect. Three patients (0.5%) had normal glucocerebrosidase activity, so they were not affected by Gaucher disease, and showed decreased acid sphingomyelinase activity. SMPD1 gene mutations responsible for Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency were found. The levels of specific biomarkers found in these patients further strengthened the genetic data. Conclusions: Our results suggest that in the presence of typical signs and symptoms of Gaucher disease, Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency should be considered. For this reason, the presence of hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, and anemia should alert clinicians to analyze both enzymes by a combined screening. Today, enzyme replacement therapy is available for the treatment of both pathologies; therefore, prompt diagnosis is essential for patients to start accurate treatment and to avoid diagnostic delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Giacomarra
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Paolo Colomba
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Daniele Francofonte
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Marcomaria Zora
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Giovanni Caocci
- Ematologia e Centro Trapianto di Midollo Osseo, Ospedale Businco, Via Jenner, 09124 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Daniela Diomede
- U.O.C. Ematologia e Trapianto, Ospedale “Mons. R. Dimiccoli”, Viale Ippocrate 15, 70051 Barletta, Italy;
| | - Gaetano Giuffrida
- Divisione Clinicizzata di Ematologia Sezione Trapianto di Midollo Osseo, Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele-Presidio Ospedaliero Ferrarotto, Via Citelli 6, 95124 Catania, Italy;
| | - Laura Fiori
- Department of Pediatrics, Vittore Buzzi Children’s Hospital, University of Milan, Via Castevetro 32, 20154 Milan, Italy;
| | - Chiara Montanari
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Giovanni Battista Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy;
| | - Annamaria Sapuppo
- Regional Referral Centre for Inborn Errors Metabolism, Pediatric Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Anna Rita Scortechini
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria delle Marche, Clinica Ematologica, Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Nicola Vitturi
- Department of Medicine-DIMED, Division of Metabolic Diseases, University Hospital, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Duro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Carmela Zizzo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (G.D.)
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Zizzo C, Ruggeri I, Colomba P, Argano C, Francofonte D, Zora M, Marsana EM, Duro G, Corrao S. Hemochromatosis Mimicked Gaucher Disease: Role of Hyperferritinemia in Evaluation of a Clinical Case. Biology (Basel) 2022; 11:914. [PMID: 35741435 PMCID: PMC9220320 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Gaucher disease is a disorder of lysosomes caused by a functional defect of the glucocerebrosidase enzyme. The disease is mainly due to mutations in the GBA1 gene, which determines the gradual storage of glucosylceramide substrate in the patient's macrophages. In this paper, we describe the case of a 38-year-old man who clinically presented with hyperferritinemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anemia and mild splenomegaly; a diagnosis of hemochromatosis was made 10 years earlier. Re-evaluation of the clinical case led to a suspicion of Gaucher disease, which was confirmed by enzymatic analysis, which was found to be below the normal range, and genetic evaluation, which identified compound heterozygosity N370S/RecNciI. We know that patients suffering from Gaucher disease can also have high ferritin levels. Even if the mechanism underlying the changes in iron metabolism is not yet elucidated, the chronic mild inflammatory state present in these patients probably causes the storage of ferritin in macrophages, resulting in hyperferritinemia. Therefore, in the presence of few typical signs and symptoms of the disease should raise an alarm bell in the clinicians, inducing clinical suspicion of Gaucher disease. Misdiagnosis and diagnostic delay in metabolic diseases could cause irreversible organ damage and delay the start of specific therapy for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Zizzo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (E.M.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Irene Ruggeri
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Relevance and High Specialization Hospital Trust ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina, Benfratelli, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (I.R.); (C.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Paolo Colomba
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (E.M.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Christiano Argano
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Relevance and High Specialization Hospital Trust ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina, Benfratelli, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (I.R.); (C.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Daniele Francofonte
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (E.M.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Marcomaria Zora
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (E.M.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Emanuela Maria Marsana
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (E.M.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Giovanni Duro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) National Research Council (CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (P.C.); (D.F.); (M.Z.); (E.M.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Salvatore Corrao
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Relevance and High Specialization Hospital Trust ARNAS Civico, Di Cristina, Benfratelli, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (I.R.); (C.A.); (S.C.)
- Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G.D’Alessandro”, PROMISE, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
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Crabol Y, Terrier B, Rozenberg F, Pestre V, Legendre C, Hermine O, Montagnier-Petrissans C, Guillevin L, Mouthon L, Loic G, Annette B, Alain F, Bertrand F, Bertrand G, Amelie L, Isabelle L, Catherine MP, Luc M, Eric O, Nathalie P, Helene S, Tarek S, Hopital Ambroise P, Jean-Marie LP, Bruno F, Bernard C, Thomas P, Francois D, Loic G, Zora M, Olivier H, Christophe L, Philippe L, Olivier L, Jean-Charles P, Norbert-Claude G, Jean-Paul F, Eric O, Guy L, Hopital B, Hopital N, Amina B. Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy for Pure Red Cell Aplasia Related to Human Parvovirus B19 Infection: A Retrospective Study of 10 Patients and Review of the Literature. Clin Infect Dis 2012; 56:968-77. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/cis1046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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