Fabry disease is an X-linked genetic deficiency in the alpha-galactosidase enzyme resulting in intracellular accumulation of glycosphingolipids and multisystem organ dysfunction. Typically 50% of males and 20% of affected females have renal involvement, ranging from proteinuria or reduced renal function, renal parapelvic cysts and progressive renal disease ultimately requiring transplantation or dialysis. The phenotypic presentation of Fabry disease is incredibly varied and will even vary between family members with the same confirmed genetic mutation. In a cohort of patients affected by Fabry disease in the North East of England we examine the different phenotypic presentations of eight index cases (6 male, 2 female) with predominantly renal disease and the renal manifestations within their family members. The mean age of presentation was 40 years of age (range 23-59 years). Various multisystem manifestations were observed including cardiac, neurological, cerebrovascular and skin involvement. Two of the male index patients reached end stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring renal replacement therapy. Two female index patients had phenotypes limited to hypertension and proteinuria at presentation and the remaining patients had either stable or progressive chronic kidney disease at the time of diagnosis. We demonstrate the need for a high index of suspicion in order to consider Fabry disease as a diagnosis and the importance of cascade genetic screening to identify affected family members so that treatment can be initiated in a timely fashion.
SUMMARYWe present the case of a 68-year-old man admitted to hospital with severe acute kidney injury secondary to statin-induced rhabdomyolysis. Five weeks previously, the patient started a course of clarithromycin for infection of a finger wound with Mycobacterium marinum. His current medications included simvastatin, which he continued along with clarithromycin. The severity of the acute kidney injury necessitated initial continuous venovenous haemofiltration followed by 12 haemodialysis sessions before a spontaneous improvement in renal function occurred. Statins are widely prescribed and we report this case to encourage increased vigilance in avoiding drug interactions known to increase the risk of statin-induced myopathy, including macrolide antibiotics, calcium channel antagonists and amiodarone. The authors would also like to highlight recent guidance on atorvastatin as the statin of choice in patients with chronic kidney disease, and of the need for dose adjustment in those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mLs/min/1.73 m².
BACKGROUND
An 81-year-old gentleman with chronic kidney disease presented with pyrexia and a new systolic cardiac murmur. Investigations revealed infective aortitis of a pre-existing aortic aneurysm graft repair. Peripheral blood cultures were positive for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and the patient was successfully treated with an extended course of antibiotics. Abdominal imaging also revealed progressive bilateral polycystic kidney disease with associated diverticular disease, which was postulated as the source of the Y. pseudotuberculosis. An autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease may present late in life and extra-renal manifestations of this disease are an important cause of morbidity.
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