Mevalonate kinase deficiency: Evidence for a phenotypic continuum
A Simon1, H P H Kremer, R A Wevers
1Departments of General Internal Medicine, Section of DNA Diagnostics, Laboratory for Pediatrics and Neurology, University Medical Center St. Radboud, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. a.simon@aig.umcn.nl
Abstract:
Both mevalonic aciduria, characterized by psychomotor retardation, cerebellar ataxia, recurrent fever attacks, and death in early childhood, and hyper-immunoglobulin D (hyper-IgD) syndrome, with recurrent fever attacks without neurologic symptoms, are caused by a functional deficiency of mevalonate kinase. In a systematic review of known mevalonate kinase-deficient patients, the authors identified five adults with phenotypic overlap between these two syndromes, which argues for a continuous spectrum of disease. Mevalonate kinase deficiency should be considered in adult patients with fitting neurologic symptoms, with or without periodic fever attacks.
Insights
Mevalonate kinase deficiency causes mevalonic aciduria and hyper-immunoglobulin D syndrome. A review found adult patients with overlapping symptoms, suggesting a disease spectrum.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Mevalonic aciduria and hyper-immunoglobulin D syndrome stem from mevalonate kinase deficiency.
- These conditions present with distinct symptoms: psychomotor retardation and ataxia in mevalonic aciduria, versus recurrent fevers without neurological issues in hyper-IgD syndrome.
Observation:
- A systematic review identified five adult patients exhibiting phenotypic overlap between mevalonic aciduria and hyper-IgD syndrome.
- These cases suggest a continuous spectrum of disease rather than distinct entities.
Findings:
- Mevalonate kinase deficiency manifests across a spectrum in adults.
- Phenotypic overlap challenges traditional diagnostic separation of these two related disorders.
Implications:
- Mevalonate kinase deficiency should be considered in adult patients presenting with neurological symptoms, even in the absence of periodic fever attacks.
- This broadens the diagnostic considerations for adult-onset neurological and inflammatory conditions.
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