Phenotypical characterization of [alpha]-galactosidase A gene mutations identified in a large Fabry disease screening program in stroke in the young

• Published in: Clinical neurology and neurosurgery Vol. 115; no. 7; p. 1088
• Main Authors: De Brabander, Isabel, Yperzeele, Laetitia, Ceuterick-De Groote, Chantal, Brouns, Raf, Baker, Robert, Belachew, Shibeshih, Delbecq, Jean, De Keulenaer, Gilles, Dethy, Sophie, Eyskens, François, Fumal, Arnaud, Hemelsoet, Dimitri, Hughes, Derralynn, Jeangette, Sandrine, Nuytten, Dirk, Redondo, Patricia, Sadzot, Bernard, Sindic, Christian, Sheorajpanday, Rishi, Thijs, Vincent, van Broeckhoven, Christine, De Deyn, Peter P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Assen Elsevier Limited 01.07.2013
• Subjects: Age; Brain; Drug therapy; Family medical history; Mutation; Neurology; Patients; Plasma
• ISSN: 0303-8467; 1872-6968
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2012.11.003

Objective In the Belgian Fabry Study (BeFaS), the prevalence of Fabry disease was assessed in 1000 young patients presenting with stroke, unexplained white matter lesions or vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia. The results of the BeFaS suggested that Fabry disease may play a role in up to 1% of young patients presenting with cerebrovascular disease. However, the clinical relevance was unclear in all cases. We report on detailed phenotyping in subjects identified with α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) enzyme deficiency orGLAmutations identified in the BeFaS (n=10), and on the results of family screening in this population. Methods Family screening was performed to identify additional mutation carriers. Biochemical and/or clinical evaluation of all subjects (BeFaS index patients and relatives carrying aGLAmutation) was performed. Results Genetic family screening revealed 18 additionalGLAmutation carriers. Bloodspot α-Gal A enzyme activity was normal in allGLAmutation carriers, even in 2 males with the p.A143T mutation. Plasma Gb3 and lyso-Gb3 levels were normal in all subjects. Elevated Gb3 in urine was detected in 2 subjects. Some classic clinical signs of Fabry disease, like angiokeratoma or cornea verticillata, could not be detected in our population. Cardiac symptoms of Fabry disease were found in 6 out of 10 p.A143T carriers. No signs of cerebrovascular disease were found in the relatives with aGLAmutation. Conclusions We could not identify mutations causing the classical clinical phenotype of Fabry disease in our cerebrovascular disease population. Enzyme activity analysis in bloodspots and plasma may fail to identify late-onset variants of Fabry disease. We recommend genetic testing when an atypical, late-onset variant of Fabry disease is suspected in a male cerebrovascular disease patient. However, this may lead to the identification of non-disease causing or controversial genetic variants.