Clinical features and genetic analysis of a Chinese kindred with Fabry's disease.

BACKGROUND

Fabry's disease is an X-linked recessive inborn error of glycosphingolipid catabolism resulting from deficient activity of lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A causing occlusive microvascular diseases affecting the kidney, heart, peripheral nerves and brain. It is an uncommon disease in the Oriental population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We report a Chinese kindred of Fabry's disease and the relevant clinical features are discussed. The diagnosis of Fabry's disease was based on serum alpha-galactosidase A activity and typical histological features from renal biopsy in the index patient. Genetic analysis of two hemizygous male patients revealed a missense mutation predicting a leucine to proline substitution (L14P) in the alpha-galactosidase gene causing classical Fabry's disease in this family. This is a novel point mutation not described previously in the literature and the second report describing novel genetic mutations for Fabry's disease in Chinese patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Fabry's disease is rare in Chinese patients but this diagnosis should be considered in patients with positive family history of kidney disease and relevant clinical features.