Congenital methaemoglobinaemia in a 61-year-old patient with normal haemoglobin levels
NETHERLANDS JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
Authors: de Geus, K. F.; Anas, A. A.; Franssen, R.; Duijkers, F. A. M.; Bikker, H.; Linthorst, G. E.
Abstract
A 61-year-old Ghanaian woman presented with dizziness and low oxygen saturations whereupon a methaemoglobin level of 24.9% was obtained. Initially it was thought to be caused by an unknown toxin. However, failure to normalise spontaneously and a short recurrence following administration of methylene blue suggested a congenital cause. Subsequently a novel variant in the CYB5R3 gene, coding for Cytochrome b(5) reductase, was demonstrated. Absence of polycythaemia prompted additional analysis for a concomitant haemoglobinopathy.
Recessive congenital methemoglobinemia caused by a rare mechanism: Maternal uniparental heterodisomy with segmental isodisomy of a chromosome 22
BLOOD CELLS MOLECULES AND DISEASES
Authors: Huang, Yu-Hsiu; Tai, Chang-Long; Lu, Yung-Hsiu; Wu, Tina Jui-Ting; Chen, Hong-Duo; Niu, Dau-Ming
Abstract
Recessive congenital methemoglobinemia (RCM) is a very rare disorder caused by NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (cb5r) deficiency. Two distinct clinical forms, types I and II, caused by cb5r deficiency have been recognized. In type I, the enzyme deficiency is restricted only to erythrocytes with cyanosis being the only major symptom. In contrast, in type II, the enzyme deficiency is generalized to all tissues and associated with neurological impairment, mental and growth retardation and reduced life expectancy, in addition to cyanosis. Recently, we conducted a study on an 11-year-old boy with cb5r deficiency type I. The mutational analysis of the CYB5R3 gene revealed that the boy is homozygous for L72P mutation. Surprisingly, his mother is heterozygous for this L72P mutant, but not his father. Thirteen microsatellite markers of chromosome 22 were selected to analyze the origins of the patient's chromosome 22. The result showed that both of the chromosome 22(5) of this patient came from the maternal side (uniparental heterodisomy of chromosome 22 with segmental isodisomy). This is the first case report of a patient with cb5r deficiency type I resulting from uniparental disomy and also discloses an alternate mechanism whereby this enzymatic disorder can be derived from a single parent. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.