Acute liver failure in a child with Epstein-Barr virus infection and undiagnosed glycerol kinase deficiency, mimicking hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

• Glycerol kinase deficiency (GKD, MIM 307030) is an X-linked disorder caused by impaired ability to metabolize glycerol resulting in elevated levels of glycerol in blood and urine (1). Glycerol kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of glycerol to glycerol-3-phosphate, an important intermediate in both lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Glycerol kinase deficiency can be found as an isolated enzyme deficiency or as part of an Xp21 contiguous gene syndrome resulting in a so-called complex form involving NR0B1 (DAX1, the locus associated with adrenal hypoplasia congenita) and the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene. Isolated GKD may in some cases be present without symptoms; however, in other cases children with isolated GKD may present with vomiting, metabolic acidosis, ketotic hypoglycemia, lethargy, and unconsciousness. These crises can be associated with infections or strenuous physical activity (2). The patients have high concentrations of glycerol in blood and urine (3). Most laboratories determine triglyceride concentration by measuring glycerol after hydrolysis of triglycerides and make the assumption that the glycerol concentration is equal to the triglyceride concentration. This can lead to misinterpretation of the laboratory results and consequently a high level of free glycerol (before hydrolysis) in the case of GKD results in a false report of high triglyceride concentration. We describe the critical clinical course in a patient with isolated GKD who had not received a diagnosis when he acquired a fulminant Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, which resulted in the development of acute liver failure. The reported elevated triglyceride levels were initially interpreted as an indication of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which possibly complicated the clinical course. Molecular genetic investigations revealed a previously undescribed microdeletion of 4 nucleotides in the GK gene, resulting in the exclusion of 3 exons in the mRNA and an abolished enzyme activity.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Infektionsmedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Infectious Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Annan klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Other Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Child

Diagnosis

Differential

Epstein-Barr Virus Infections

blood

complications

diagnosis

Glycerol

blood

Glycerol Kinase

deficiency

genetics

Herpesvirus 4

Human

Humans

Liver Failure

Acute

blood

diagnosis

virology

Lymphohistiocytosis

Hemophagocytic

blood

diagnosis

Male

Multiple Organ Failure

etiology

Triglycerides

blood

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)