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Last updated:
July 05, 2018
Years published: 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2005, 2018
NORD gratefully acknowledges Maha El Barch, MD Candidate, McGill University School of Medicine, and Elena M. Pennisi, MD, PhD, Neurology Unit, Medicine Department, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy, for assistance in the preparation of this report.
Summary
Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome (CDS) is an extremely rare genetic disorder characterized by dry, scaly skin at birth as well as progressive fatty liver disease and various degrees of muscular involvement. Vision problems, hearing loss, short stature and mild intellectual disability are also associated with this condition. The skin abnormalities are present at birth but the disease is often diagnosed a few years later in childhood when more symptoms become apparent. The current treatment options are limited, mostly for the skin symptoms. An early initiation of low fat diet with MCT (medium chain triglycerides) might improve the liver condition. Motor rehabilitation is necessary in patients with muscle disease (myopathy).
Introduction
Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome was first described in 1974 in Jerusalem. Over 128 CDS patients have been reported worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean and Middle East area. CDS is a type of neutral lipid storage disease, but is also a considered a hereditary skin disease in the ‘ichthyotic’ group. It is named according to the first researchers who described patients: M.L Dorfman in 1974 and I. Chanarin in 1975.
Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome can affect many systems. All patients have skin findings that are usually present at birth: redness, fine scaling, dark pigmentation and severe itching which leads to scratching and skin-picking (excoriation). The skin appearance is referred to “ichthyosiform nonbullous erythroderma”. Patients also have liver disease with lipid storage which can lead to liver failure. About 60% of patients also have muscle problems. They have slowly progressive weakness of the proximal arms and legs. When the muscles are affected they release their enzymes in the blood, which can be detected by the presence of a CK elevation. Exercise intolerance has never been reported, but many patients reported early fatigability.
Less commonly, other systems can be involved. Around 40% of patients have eye problems consisting mainly in cataracts or eyelids pointing outwards (ectropion). Approximately 25% of patients have progressive hearing loss. Around 25% have cognitive impairment. Short stature and growth retardation have also been reported. Some patients have intestinal problems such as fatty diarrhea (steatorrhea) and enlarged spleen. Some have orthopedic problems and kidney dysfunction.
Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome is caused by changes (mutations) in the ABHD5 gene located on chromosome 3. This gene produces a protein involved in fat metabolism called CGI-58. This protein is called a co-factor because it helps the activity of the main enzyme, which is adipose triacylglycerol lipase (ATGL). The function of this enzyme is to break down a type of fat called triacylglycerol (TAG). This process is disturbed when either the enzyme or the helper protein doesn’t work properly. When the fat (triacylglycerol) cannot be broken down, it accumulates in various parts of the body as lipid droplets and causes different symptoms. This is what happens in a group of disorders called ‘neutral lipid storage disease’. It comprises two entities:
When the mutation occurs in the gene for the main enzyme (ATGL), the disease is called ‘neutral lipid storage disease with myopathy’.
When the mutation occurs in the gene for the helper protein (CGI-58), the disease is called ‘neutral lipid storage disease with itchthyosis’, or Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome.
It is important to distinguish between the two because the clinical presentations are very different. In the first one, patients usually present in early adulthood with muscle abnormalities caused by the accumulation of fat. In Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome, patients primarily have skin abnormalities that are apparent at birth. For this reason, Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome is also part of a group of diseases called ‘itchthyoses’, which are characterized by skin abnormalities. Another difference is the absence of heart problems (cardiomyopathy) in Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome, whereas they are present in first one.
The genetic mutation in Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome leads to abnormal accumulation of fat (lipid droplets) in many cells, especially in the skin, liver and white blood cells. The effect on the skin is an abnormal permeability, which leads to a characteristic rash and intense itching. In the liver, the lipid droplet accumulation leads to fatty change called “steatosis” that can eventually progress to cirrhosis and liver failure.
Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means the individual inherits an abnormal gene from each parent. If an individual receives one normal gene and one abnormal gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms. The risk for two carrier parents to both pass the abnormal gene and, therefore, have an affected child is 25% with each pregnancy. The risk to have a child who is a carrier, like the parents, is 50% with each pregnancy. The chance for a child to receive normal genes from both parents is 25%. The risk is the same for males and females.
There have been over 128 patients reported worldwide, especially in the Mediterranean and Middle East region. Many of the reported patients have been children born to couples who are related by blood (consanguineous). This condition affects males and females equally.
Newborns usually have characteristic skin changes (ichthyosiform changes), but the combination of skin appearance, liver abnormalities and other system involvement is what raises the suspicion for Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome. The suspected diagnosis is made with a peripheral blood smear test, where fat deposits (lipid droplets) are seen in white blood cells (called Jordan’s anomaly). Molecular genetic testing for mutations in the ABHD5 gene is available to confirm the diagnosis.
Clinical Testing and Work-Up
Most findings can be detected by a blood test: the initial diagnosis requires a peripheral blood smear, liver involvement can be detected with abnormal liver enzymes, and muscle involvement can be detected with elevated muscle enzymes and neurological clinical examination. Ultrasound of the abdomen is virtually always done to evaluate liver changes. Electromyography (EMG) can be done to evaluate the muscle changes. Biopsies of the skin, liver and muscle can be done to examine the changes under the microscope. Other systems can be examined and evaluated depending on the symptoms.
Treatment
There is no effective treatment for Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome. However, it is recommended to have a low fat diet (specifically low long-chain fatty acid and minimal saturated fat), enriched with medium-chain triglycerides, ursodiol (a bile acid) and vitamin E. This would decrease the liver size and normalize the liver enzymes. This diet has no effect on skin symptoms. To alleviate itching and other skin symptoms, it is recommended to apply moisturizers on the skin. Vitamin A derivatives like acitretin are useful for skin and muscle manifestations, but are often considered contraindicated if the liver enzymes are impaired, which is commonly the case. However, improvement in skin symptoms without deleterious effect on liver function has been reported with the use of acitretin. There is no consensus about the use of retinoid in Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome with abnormal liver function. One case of liver transplant followed by the usual dietary modifications has been reported with stabilisation of the skin and intellectual disability deterioration after 1 year, but there are insufficient studies to conclude the effectiveness and the long-term effects of liver transplantation.
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INTERNET
Choate K. Overview and classification of the itchthyoses. UpToDate
[https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-and-classification-of-the-inherited-ichthyoses?search=Chanarin%20Dorfman&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~4&usage_type=default&display_rank=1 ] Last updated December 2016. Accessed July 3, 2018.
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