Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum (Fabry disease). A lysosomal disease

Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum (Fabry disease) is an X-linked recessive disease. We had an opportunity to examine a heterozygous female patient with angiokeratoma and cornea verticillata. The patient's serum alpha-galactosidase activity was reported to be about 50% of normal. Skin lesion biopsy specimens were stained with electron microscopic acid phsophatase (ACP), with proper controls. Acid phosphatase activity was demonstrable within membrane-bound inclusions of cutaneous vascular endothelial cells. This suggested that the accumulation of abnormal glycolipids in the vascular cells occurs in the lysosomes.