Splenomegaly, cardiomegaly, and osteoporosis in a child with Gaucher disease

Lysosomal storage disorders: from biology to the clinic with reference to India

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a group of seventy different metabolic storage diseases due to accumulation of substrate mainly in the form of carbohydrate, lipids, proteins, and cellular debris. They occur due to variant in different genes that regulate lysosomal enzymes synthesis, transport, and secretion. In recent years, due to an increased availability of various therapies to treat these disorders, and increased diagnostic tools, there has been an escalated awareness of LSDs. Due to heterogeneous population and various social reasons, India is likely to have a high frequency of LSDs. Therefore, to understand the burden of various LSDs, its molecular spectrum, and understanding the phenotype-genotype correlation, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Department of Health Research (DHR), Government of India had set up a task force in the year 2015. It has resulted in identifying common LSDs, and founder variant for some of the storage disorders and molecular spectrum of various LSDs across the country. This review describes in detail the spectrum of LSDs, its molecular epidemiology and prevention in context to Indian population.

Jaw bones' involvement and dental features of type I and type III Gaucher disease: a radiographic study of 42 paediatric patients

PURPOSE

Gaucher disease (GD) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by an autosomal recessive inherited deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase. The aim of this study is to describe jaw bones' involvement and dental radiographic features in paediatric Gaucher disease patients (type I and type III).

METHODS

The study population of this case-control study included: 42 Gaucher patients (study group) and 84 medically free children (control group). The radiographic images of both groups were analysed for the following findings: generalised bone rarefaction, localised rarefaction and enlarged bone marrow spaces, thinning of cortex, pseudocystic radiolucent lesions, anodontia and dental anomalies. Dental age assessment of Gaucher patients using the Demirjian's method was also performed.

RESULTS

Generalised rarefaction showed almost similar percentages in both types of Gaucher disease cases. Localised rarefaction was noted in 30.77% and 18.75% of Gaucher disease type III and type I, respectively. Pseudocystic radiolucent lesions, thinning of cortex, anodontia and dental anomalies were more prevalent in type III Gaucher patients. The mean chronological and mean dental ages in both sexes of Gaucher patients were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Thinning of cortex, localised rarefaction and generalised rarefaction are the most common jaw bone findings in Gaucher patients.

Type 1 and type 3 Gaucher disease in two siblings in a family: 2 unusual case reports

Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by lack of acid β-glucosidase (glucocerebrosidase) enzyme resulting in accumulation of glucosylceramide in different organs. It is common in Ashkenazi Jews but rare in India. Around five hundred cases are identified and diagnosed in India. We are reporting two interesting cases of type 1 non-neuropathic and type 3 juvenile subacute neuropathic variant of adult Gaucher disease in two of three siblings in a family.