Coexistence of gene mutations causing Fabry disease and Duchenne muscular dystrophy in a Japanese boy

Both Fabry disease and Duchenne muscular dystrophy were confirmed by gene analysis in a Japanese boy. He developed muscle weakness at 4 years of age. A muscle biopsy revealed lamellar inclusion bodies in vascular endothelial cells in addition to myopathic changes with negative dystrophin staining. The myopathic symptoms progressed, and he died of pneumonia at 24 years of age. No clinical manifestations of Fabry disease were observed except for hypohidrosis and angiokeratoma. However, glycolipid accumulation was found in biopsied renal tissue. Molecular analysis demonstrated two gene mutations; a novel single-base deletion in exon 3 of the alpha-galactosidase gene, and a dystrophin gene deletion extending from exon 46 to exon 50. His mother was confirmed to be heterozygous for both gene deletions.