A case of female Fabry disease revealed by renal biopsy

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked inherited glycosphingolipid metabolism disorder, therefore, heterozygous female FD patients display highly variable clinical symptoms, disease severity, and pathological findings. This makes it very challenging to diagnosing female patients with FD. A 69-year-old Japanese female was introduced to the nephrologist for the evaluation of proteinuria. A renal biopsy was performed. Although the light microscopic examinations revealed that most of the glomeruli showed minor glomerular abnormalities, however, vacuolation was apparently found in the tubular epithelial cells. Immunofluorescence staining for globotriaosylceramide was positively detected in some podocytes and distal tubular epithelial cells. In addition, myelin-like structure (zebra body) was detected by electron microscopy. Pathological findings were most consistent with FD. Consequently, biochemical and genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of female FD. Enzyme replacement therapy was performed in conjunction with renin-angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors and beta-blockers. The patient's family members received the analysis, and the same DNA missense mutation was detected in the patient's grandson. The enzyme replacement therapy was introduced to the grandson. The present case showed that renal biopsy can contribute towards a correct diagnosis for FD. Particularly, in female FD patients, careful examination of pathological changes is essential, for example, vacuolation of any type of renal cells may be a clue for the diagnosis.