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Fucosidosis

MedGen UID:
5288
Concept ID:
C0016788
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Alpha-l-fucosidase deficiency; Lysosomal storage disease caused by defective alpha-L-fucosidase with accumulation of fucose in the tissues
SNOMED CT: Fucosidosis (64716005); Fucosidase deficiency (64716005); alpha-L-fucosidase deficiency (64716005); Alpha-L-fucosidase deficiency (64716005)
Modes of inheritance:
Autosomal recessive inheritance
MedGen UID:
141025
Concept ID:
C0441748
Intellectual Product
Source: Orphanet
A mode of inheritance that is observed for traits related to a gene encoded on one of the autosomes (i.e., the human chromosomes 1-22) in which a trait manifests in individuals with two pathogenic alleles, either homozygotes (two copies of the same mutant allele) or compound heterozygotes (whereby each copy of a gene has a distinct mutant allele).
 
Gene (location): FUCA1 (1p36.11)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0009254
OMIM®: 230000
Orphanet: ORPHA349

Definition

Fucosidosis is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease caused by defective alpha-L-fucosidase with accumulation of fucose in the tissues. Clinical features include angiokeratoma, progressive psychomotor retardation, neurologic signs, coarse facial features, and dysostosis multiplex. Fucosidosis has been classified into 2 major types. Type 1 is characterized by rapid psychomotor regression and severe neurologic deterioration beginning at about 6 months of age, elevated sweat sodium chloride, and death within the first decade of life. Type 2 is characterized by milder psychomotor retardation and neurologic signs, the development of angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, normal sweat salinity, and longer survival (Kousseff et al., 1976). [from OMIM]

Additional description

From MedlinePlus Genetics
Fucosidosis is a condition that affects many areas of the body, especially the brain. The symptoms of fucosidosis can vary from person to person. Affected individuals have intellectual disabilities that worsen with age. Over time, people with this condition tend to lose skills they had previously learned, such as sitting, standing, walking, or talking. Additional signs and symptoms of fucosidosis can include slow growth, abnormal bone development (dysostosis multiplex), and rigid or stiff muscles (spasticity). People with fucosidosis may also have clusters of enlarged blood vessels that form small, dark red spots on the skin (angiokeratomas) and distinctive facial features that are often described as "coarse." Additional features of fucosidosis can include frequent respiratory infections, an enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly), and seizures.

In the past, fucosidosis has been divided into two types based on the symptoms and age of onset. Type 1 was used to describe the more severe form of the disorder, with symptoms typically appearing in infancy. Type 2 was used to describe cases with milder symptoms and a slower progression. Currently, many researchers consider the condition to be a spectrum with a wide range in severity.   https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/fucosidosis

Clinical features

From HPO
Glycopeptiduria
MedGen UID:
868659
Concept ID:
C4023061
Finding
Increased excretion of glycopeptides in the urine. Glycopeptides are peptides with carbohydrate moieties covalently attached to the side chains of the amino acid residues.
Oligosacchariduria
MedGen UID:
869388
Concept ID:
C4023815
Finding
Increased urinary excretion of oligosaccharides (low molecular weight carbohydrate chains composed of at least three monosaccharide subunits), derived from a partial degradation of glycoproteins.
Coxa valga
MedGen UID:
116080
Concept ID:
C0239137
Finding
Coxa valga is a deformity of the hip in which the angle between the femoral shaft and the femoral neck is increased compared to age-adjusted values (about 150 degrees in newborns gradually reducing to 120-130 degrees in adults).
Cardiomegaly
MedGen UID:
5459
Concept ID:
C0018800
Finding
Increased size of the heart, clinically defined as an increased transverse diameter of the cardiac silhouette that is greater than or equal to 50% of the transverse diameter of the chest (increased cardiothoracic ratio) on a posterior-anterior projection of a chest radiograph or a computed tomography.
Cherry red spot of the macula
MedGen UID:
786046
Concept ID:
C2216370
Finding
Pallor of the perifoveal macula of the retina with appearance of a small circular reddish choroid shape as seen through the fovea centralis due to relative transparency of the macula.
Short stature
MedGen UID:
87607
Concept ID:
C0349588
Finding
A height below that which is expected according to age and gender norms. Although there is no universally accepted definition of short stature, many refer to "short stature" as height more than 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender (or below the 3rd percentile for age and gender dependent norms).
Failure to thrive
MedGen UID:
746019
Concept ID:
C2315100
Disease or Syndrome
Failure to thrive (FTT) refers to a child whose physical growth is substantially below the norm.
Hepatomegaly
MedGen UID:
42428
Concept ID:
C0019209
Finding
Abnormally increased size of the liver.
Low-set ears
MedGen UID:
65980
Concept ID:
C0239234
Congenital Abnormality
Upper insertion of the ear to the scalp below an imaginary horizontal line drawn between the inner canthi of the eye and extending posteriorly to the ear.
Hearing impairment
MedGen UID:
235586
Concept ID:
C1384666
Disease or Syndrome
A decreased magnitude of the sensory perception of sound.
Dystonic disorder
MedGen UID:
3940
Concept ID:
C0013421
Sign or Symptom
An abnormally increased muscular tone that causes fixed abnormal postures. There is a slow, intermittent twisting motion that leads to exaggerated turning and posture of the extremities and trunk.
Hemiplegia
MedGen UID:
9196
Concept ID:
C0018991
Sign or Symptom
Paralysis (complete loss of muscle function) in the arm, leg, and in some cases the face on one side of the body.
Seizure
MedGen UID:
20693
Concept ID:
C0036572
Sign or Symptom
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.
Polyneuropathy
MedGen UID:
57502
Concept ID:
C0152025
Disease or Syndrome
A generalized disorder of peripheral nerves.
Spastic gait
MedGen UID:
115907
Concept ID:
C0231687
Finding
Spasticity is manifested by increased stretch reflex which is intensified with movement velocity. This results in excessive and inappropriate muscle activation which can contribute to muscle hypertonia. Spastic gait is characterized by manifestations such as muscle hypertonia, stiff knee, and circumduction of the leg.
Mental deterioration
MedGen UID:
66713
Concept ID:
C0234985
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Loss of previously present mental abilities, generally in adults.
Cerebral atrophy
MedGen UID:
116012
Concept ID:
C0235946
Disease or Syndrome
Atrophy (wasting, decrease in size of cells or tissue) affecting the cerebrum.
Spastic tetraplegia
MedGen UID:
98433
Concept ID:
C0426970
Disease or Syndrome
Spastic paralysis affecting all four limbs.
Global developmental delay
MedGen UID:
107838
Concept ID:
C0557874
Finding
A delay in the achievement of motor or mental milestones in the domains of development of a child, including motor skills, speech and language, cognitive skills, and social and emotional skills. This term should only be used to describe children younger than five years of age.
Developmental regression
MedGen UID:
324613
Concept ID:
C1836830
Disease or Syndrome
Loss of developmental skills, as manifested by loss of developmental milestones.
Delayed gross motor development
MedGen UID:
332508
Concept ID:
C1837658
Finding
A type of motor delay characterized by a delay in acquiring the ability to control the large muscles of the body for walking, running, sitting, and crawling.
Brisk reflexes
MedGen UID:
382164
Concept ID:
C2673700
Finding
Tendon reflexes that are noticeably more active than usual (conventionally denoted 3+ on clinical examination). Brisk reflexes may or may not indicate a neurological lesion. They are distinguished from hyperreflexia by the fact that hyerreflexia is characterized by hyperactive repeating (clonic) reflexes, which are considered to be always abnormal.
Intellectual disability
MedGen UID:
811461
Concept ID:
C3714756
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Intellectual disability, previously referred to as mental retardation, is characterized by subnormal intellectual functioning that occurs during the developmental period. It is defined by an IQ score below 70.
CNS hypomyelination
MedGen UID:
892446
Concept ID:
C4025616
Finding
Reduced amount of myelin in the central nervous system resulting from defective myelinogenesis.
Hernia
MedGen UID:
6816
Concept ID:
C0019270
Finding
The protrusion of part of an organ or fibroadipose tissue through an abnormal opening.
Hypotonia
MedGen UID:
10133
Concept ID:
C0026827
Finding
Hypotonia is an abnormally low muscle tone (the amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle). Even when relaxed, muscles have a continuous and passive partial contraction which provides some resistance to passive stretching. Hypotonia thus manifests as diminished resistance to passive stretching. Hypotonia is not the same as muscle weakness, although the two conditions can co-exist.
Scoliosis
MedGen UID:
11348
Concept ID:
C0036439
Disease or Syndrome
The presence of an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Muscle weakness
MedGen UID:
57735
Concept ID:
C0151786
Finding
Reduced strength of muscles.
Frontal bossing
MedGen UID:
67453
Concept ID:
C0221354
Congenital Abnormality
Bilateral bulging of the lateral frontal bone prominences with relative sparing of the midline.
Barrel-shaped chest
MedGen UID:
120497
Concept ID:
C0264172
Finding
A rounded, bulging chest that resembles the shape of a barrel. That is, there is an increased anteroposterior diameter and usually some degree of kyphosis.
Flexion contracture
MedGen UID:
83069
Concept ID:
C0333068
Anatomical Abnormality
A flexion contracture is a bent (flexed) joint that cannot be straightened actively or passively. It is thus a chronic loss of joint motion due to structural changes in muscle, tendons, ligaments, or skin that prevents normal movement of joints.
Lumbar hyperlordosis
MedGen UID:
263149
Concept ID:
C1184923
Finding
An abnormal accentuation of the inward curvature of the spine in the lumbar region.
Generalized amyotrophy
MedGen UID:
234650
Concept ID:
C1389113
Disease or Syndrome
Generalized (diffuse, unlocalized) amyotrophy (muscle atrophy) affecting multiple muscles.
Shield chest
MedGen UID:
322348
Concept ID:
C1834124
Finding
A broad chest.
Ovoid vertebral bodies
MedGen UID:
344549
Concept ID:
C1855665
Finding
When viewed in lateral radiographs, vertebral bodies have a roughly rectangular configuration. This term applies if the vertebral body appears rounded or oval.
Beaking of vertebral bodies
MedGen UID:
341588
Concept ID:
C1856599
Finding
Anterior tongue-like protrusions of the vertebral bodies.
Absent/hypoplastic paranasal sinuses
MedGen UID:
347277
Concept ID:
C1856639
Finding
Aplasia or hypoplasia of the paranasal sinuses.
Cervical platyspondyly
MedGen UID:
344778
Concept ID:
C1856641
Finding
A flattened vertebral body shape with reduced distance between the vertebral endplates affecting the cervical spine.
Absent/hypoplastic coccyx
MedGen UID:
341593
Concept ID:
C1856644
Finding
Anterior beaking of lumbar vertebrae
MedGen UID:
867183
Concept ID:
C4021541
Anatomical Abnormality
Anterior tongue-like protrusions of the vertebral bodies of the lumbar spine.
Anterior beaking of thoracic vertebrae
MedGen UID:
870842
Concept ID:
C4025302
Anatomical Abnormality
Anterior tongue-like protrusions of thoracic vertebral bodies.
Abnormality of skull size
MedGen UID:
871378
Concept ID:
C4025874
Anatomical Abnormality
Any abnormality of the size of the skull.
Dysostosis multiplex
MedGen UID:
1851010
Concept ID:
C5848292
Disease or Syndrome
Recurrent respiratory infections
MedGen UID:
812812
Concept ID:
C3806482
Finding
An increased susceptibility to respiratory infections as manifested by a history of recurrent respiratory infections.
Splenomegaly
MedGen UID:
52469
Concept ID:
C0038002
Finding
Abnormal increased size of the spleen.
Vacuolated lymphocytes
MedGen UID:
332307
Concept ID:
C1836855
Finding
The presence of clear, sharply defined vacuoles in the lymphocyte cytoplasm.
Elevated sweat chloride
MedGen UID:
347278
Concept ID:
C1856646
Finding
An increased concentration of chloride in the sweat.
Reduced circulating alpha-L-fucosidase activity
MedGen UID:
1853119
Concept ID:
C5872913
Finding
Activity of the enzyme alpha-L-fucosidase below the lower limit of normal.
Macroglossia
MedGen UID:
44236
Concept ID:
C0024421
Disease or Syndrome
Increased length and width of the tongue.
Wide nose
MedGen UID:
140869
Concept ID:
C0426421
Finding
Interalar distance more than two standard deviations above the mean for age, i.e., an apparently increased width of the nasal base and alae.
Depressed nasal bridge
MedGen UID:
373112
Concept ID:
C1836542
Finding
Posterior positioning of the nasal root in relation to the overall facial profile for age.
Prominent forehead
MedGen UID:
373291
Concept ID:
C1837260
Finding
Forward prominence of the entire forehead, due to protrusion of the frontal bone.
Thick lower lip vermilion
MedGen UID:
326567
Concept ID:
C1839739
Finding
Increased thickness of the lower lip, leading to a prominent appearance of the lower lip. The height of the vermilion of the lower lip in the midline is more than 2 SD above the mean. Alternatively, an apparently increased height of the vermilion of the lower lip in the frontal view (subjective).
Coarse facial features
MedGen UID:
335284
Concept ID:
C1845847
Finding
Absence of fine and sharp appearance of brows, nose, lips, mouth, and chin, usually because of rounded and heavy features or thickened skin with or without thickening of subcutaneous and bony tissues.
Thick eyebrow
MedGen UID:
377914
Concept ID:
C1853487
Finding
Increased density/number and/or increased diameter of eyebrow hairs.
Angiokeratoma
MedGen UID:
1542
Concept ID:
C0002985
Neoplastic Process
Angiokeratomas are hyperkeratotic papules that are characterized histologically by superficial ectatic (i.e., dilated) blood vessels with epidermal proliferation. Clinically, angiokeratoma presents as a small, raised, dark-red spot.
Anhidrosis
MedGen UID:
1550
Concept ID:
C0003028
Disease or Syndrome
Inability to sweat.
Petechiae
MedGen UID:
10680
Concept ID:
C0031256
Disease or Syndrome
Petechiae are pinpoint-sized reddish/purple spots, resembling a rash, that appear just under the skin or a mucous membrane when capillaries have ruptured and some superficial bleeding into the skin has happened. This term refers to an abnormally increased susceptibility to developing petechiae.
Dry skin
MedGen UID:
56250
Concept ID:
C0151908
Sign or Symptom
Skin characterized by the lack of natural or normal moisture.
Bruising susceptibility
MedGen UID:
140849
Concept ID:
C0423798
Finding
An ecchymosis (bruise) refers to the skin discoloration caused by the escape of blood into the tissues from ruptured blood vessels. This term refers to an abnormally increased susceptibility to bruising. The corresponding phenotypic abnormality is generally elicited on medical history as a report of frequent ecchymoses or bruising without adequate trauma.
Hypertelorism
MedGen UID:
9373
Concept ID:
C0020534
Finding
Although hypertelorism means an excessive distance between any paired organs (e.g., the nipples), the use of the word has come to be confined to ocular hypertelorism. Hypertelorism occurs as an isolated feature and is also a feature of many syndromes, e.g., Opitz G syndrome (see 300000), Greig cephalopolysyndactyly (175700), and Noonan syndrome (163950) (summary by Cohen et al., 1995).
Tortuosity of conjunctival vessels
MedGen UID:
344487
Concept ID:
C1855391
Finding
The presence of an increased number of twists and turns of the conjunctival blood vessels.

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
  • CROGVFucosidosis
Follow this link to review classifications for Fucosidosis in Orphanet.

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Poenaru L, Dreyfus JC, Boué J
Monogr Hum Genet 1978;10:51-5. PMID: 723904
Poenaru L, Dreyfus JC, Boue J, Nicolesco H, Ravise N, Bamberger J
Clin Genet 1976 Nov;10(5):260-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1976.tb00046.x. PMID: 991436
Matsuda I, Arashima S, Oka Y, Mitsuyama T, Ariga S
Clin Chim Acta 1975 Aug 18;63(1):55-60. doi: 10.1016/0009-8981(75)90378-2. PMID: 1181074

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Burlina AP, Manara R, Gueraldi D
Handb Clin Neurol 2024;204:147-172. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-99209-1.00008-9. PMID: 39322377
Naumchik BM, Gupta A, Flanagan-Steet H, Steet RA, Cathey SS, Orchard PJ, Lund TC
Cells 2020 Jun 5;9(6) doi: 10.3390/cells9061411. PMID: 32517081Free PMC Article
Fletcher JL, Taylor RM
Pediatr Endocrinol Rev 2016 Jun;13 Suppl 1:697-706. PMID: 27491218
Tiberio G, Filocamo M, Gatti R, Durand P
Acta Genet Med Gemellol (Roma) 1995;44(3-4):223-32. doi: 10.1017/s0001566000001641. PMID: 8739734
Cantz M, Ulrich-Bott B
J Inherit Metab Dis 1990;13(4):523-37. doi: 10.1007/BF01799510. PMID: 2122119

Diagnosis

Stepien KM, Ciara E, Jezela-Stanek A
Genes (Basel) 2020 Nov 22;11(11) doi: 10.3390/genes11111383. PMID: 33266441Free PMC Article
Wang L, Yang M, Hong S, Tang T, Zhuang J, Huang H
J Int Med Res 2020 Apr;48(4):300060520911269. doi: 10.1177/0300060520911269. PMID: 32238081Free PMC Article
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Pediatr Radiol 1977;5(4):204-8. doi: 10.1007/BF00972177. PMID: 122443
Poenaru L, Dreyfus JC, Boue J, Nicolesco H, Ravise N, Bamberger J
Clin Genet 1976 Nov;10(5):260-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1976.tb00046.x. PMID: 991436

Therapy

Kumar AB, Hong X, Yi F, Wood T, Gelb MH
Mol Genet Metab 2019 Jul;127(3):207-211. Epub 2019 Jun 10 doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.05.016. PMID: 31235216Free PMC Article
Fletcher JL, Taylor RM
Pediatr Endocrinol Rev 2016 Jun;13 Suppl 1:697-706. PMID: 27491218
Miranda CO, Brites P, Mendes Sousa M, Teixeira CA
Cell Transplant 2013;22(2):189-204. Epub 2012 Sep 21 doi: 10.3727/096368912X656117. PMID: 23006656
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Hum Hered 1982;32(2):100-5. doi: 10.1159/000153267. PMID: 7095811

Prognosis

Saleh-Gohari N, Saeidi K, Zeighaminejad R
J Clin Pathol 2018 Sep;71(9):821-824. Epub 2018 Mar 27 doi: 10.1136/jclinpath-2018-205074. PMID: 29588375
Fletcher JL, Taylor RM
Pediatr Endocrinol Rev 2016 Jun;13 Suppl 1:697-706. PMID: 27491218
Michalski JC, Klein A
Biochim Biophys Acta 1999 Oct 8;1455(2-3):69-84. doi: 10.1016/s0925-4439(99)00077-0. PMID: 10571005
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Acta Genet Med Gemellol (Roma) 1995;44(3-4):223-32. doi: 10.1017/s0001566000001641. PMID: 8739734
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Am J Med Genet 1991 Jan;38(1):111-31. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.1320380125. PMID: 2012122

Clinical prediction guides

Wang L, Yang M, Hong S, Tang T, Zhuang J, Huang H
J Int Med Res 2020 Apr;48(4):300060520911269. doi: 10.1177/0300060520911269. PMID: 32238081Free PMC Article
Michalski JC, Klein A
Biochim Biophys Acta 1999 Oct 8;1455(2-3):69-84. doi: 10.1016/s0925-4439(99)00077-0. PMID: 10571005
Willems PJ, Seo HC, Coucke P, Tonlorenzi R, O'Brien JS
Eur J Hum Genet 1999 Jan;7(1):60-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200272. PMID: 10094192
Willems PJ, Gatti R, Darby JK, Romeo G, Durand P, Dumon JE, O'Brien JS
Am J Med Genet 1991 Jan;38(1):111-31. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.1320380125. PMID: 2012122
Poenaru L, Dreyfus JC, Boue J, Nicolesco H, Ravise N, Bamberger J
Clin Genet 1976 Nov;10(5):260-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1976.tb00046.x. PMID: 991436

Recent systematic reviews

Autti T, Joensuu R, Aberg L
Neuroradiology 2007 Jul;49(7):571-8. Epub 2007 Mar 3 doi: 10.1007/s00234-007-0220-6. PMID: 17334752

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