BACKGROUND: The phenotypic spectrum of many rare disorders is much wider than previously considered. Mucopolysaccharidosis type III (Sanfilippo syndrome, MPS III), is a lysosomal storage disorder traditionally considered to be characterized by childhood onset, progressive neurocognitive deterioration with a rapidly or slowly progressing phenotype. The presented MPS III case series demonstrates adult onset phenotypes with mild cognitive impairment or non-neuronopathic phenotypes. METHODS: In this case series all adult MPS III patients with a mild- or non-neuronopathic phenotype, who attend the outpatient clinic of 3 expert centers for lysosomal storage disorders were included. A mild- or non-neuronopathic phenotype was defined as having completed regular secondary education and attaining a level of independency during adulthood, involving either independent living or a paid job. RESULTS: Twelve patients from six families, with a median age at diagnosis of 43 years (range 3-68) were included (11 MPS IIIA, 1 MPS IIIB). In the four index patients symptoms which led to diagnostic studies (whole exome sequencing and metabolomics) resulting in the diagnosis of MPS III; two patients presented with retinal dystrophy, one with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and one with neurocognitive decline. The other eight patients were diagnosed by family screening. At a median age of 47 years (range 19-74) 9 out of the 12 patients had normal cognitive functions. Nine patients had retinal dystrophy and 8 patients hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION: We show the very mild end of the phenotypic spectrum of MPS III, ranging from late-onset stable neurocognitive impairment to a fully non-neuronopathic phenotype. Awareness of this phenotype could lead to timely diagnosis and genetic counseling.

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doi.org/10.1186/s13023-019-1232-0, hdl.handle.net/1765/121620
Orphanet journal of rare diseases
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Nijmeijer, S.C.M. (Stephanie C M), van den Born, L.I. (L Ingeborg), Kievit, A. J. A., Stepien, K.M. (Karolina M.), Langendonk, J., Marchal, J.P. (Jan Pieter), … Wagenmakers, M.A.E.M. (Margreet A E M). (2019). The attenuated end of the phenotypic spectrum in MPS III: from late-onset stable cognitive impairment to a non-neuronopathic phenotype. Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 14(1). doi:10.1186/s13023-019-1232-0