Pulmonary involvement in siblings with Gaucher disease type III

Abstract

Introduction. Pulmonary involvement has been described in all types of Gaucher disease (GD) but it is considered as relatively rare manifestation. There are reports suggesting that homozygosity for L444P mutation in GBA gene is associated with a substantial risk for developing primary pulmonary disease in GD. Case report. We reported sisters with pulmonary involvement in GD type III. Respiratory failure with fatal outcome at 3 years and 4 months of age occurred in K.K. due to pulmonary complications of GD. At the time enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) was not available in Serbia. J.K., homozygous for L444P mutation, developed asymptomatic pulmonary involvement at the age of 6 after 2.5 years of ERT. Pulmonary disease in J.K. was verified by high resolution computerized tomography, cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and histopathology of transbronchial lung biopsy. Conclusion. Primary lung disease in children homoallelic for L444P mutation in GBA gene emerges as a significant clinical manifestation of GD with unclear response to ERT.