Multiple sclerosis and intracellular cobalamin defect (MMACHC/PRDX1) comorbidity in a young male

Methylmalonic acidaemia with homocystinuria type C (cblC defect) is an inherited error of cobalamin metabolism. Cobalamin deficient processing results in high levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine. The latter is considered to be a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). We report on the first case of a patient with comorbid cblC defect and MS.

This young male presented at the age of 14 with a relapsing-remitting neurological disorder associated with imaging alterations suggestive of MS. Treatment resulted in a partial clinical improvement with vanishing of white matter lesions. Later on, the emergence of unexpected clinical features led to a metabolic work-up, revealing a cobalamin intracellular defect. Genetic analysis disclosed a single variant in MMACHC (c.482G > A; p.Arg161Gln) and another splicing variant in PRDX1 (c.1-515G > T) that cause the silencing of the wild-type MMACHC allele, so confirming the diagnosis of cblC defect. Although cblC treatment was effective, when 17-year-old he experienced a relapse of neurological symptoms. Further imaging and laboratory studies eventually supported the diagnosis of MS.

While the comorbid association of MS and cblC in our patient may remain anecdotic, we suggest measuring Hcy and MMA levels in young patients with a relapsing-remitting demyelinating disorder, in order not to miss a cblC defect, that requires a specific and effective treatment.