Thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia: a novel SLC19A2 compound heterozygous mutation in two siblings

Pediatr Diabetes. 2013 Aug;14(5):384-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-5448.2012.00921.x. Epub 2013 Jan 4.

Abstract

Thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia (TRMA) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by loss of function mutations in the SLC19A2 gene. TRMA is characterized by anemia, deafness, and diabetes. In some cases, optic atrophy or more rarely retinitis pigmentosa is noted. We now report two sisters, the eldest of which presented to a different hospital during childhood with sensorineural deafness, which was treated with a hearing prosthesis, insulin requiring diabetes, retinitis pigmentosa, optic atrophy, and macrocytic anemia. These features initially suggested a clinical diagnosis of Wolfram syndrome (WS). Therapy with thiamine was initiated which resulted in the resolution of the anemia. The younger sister, who was affected with sensorineural deafness, was referred to our hospital for non-autoimmune diabetes. She was found to have macrocytosis and ocular abnormalities. Because a diagnosis of TRMA was suspected, therapy with insulin and thiamine was started. Sequencing analysis of the SLC19A2 gene identified a compound heterozygous mutation p.Y81X/p.L457X (c.242insA/c.1370delT) in both sisters. Non-autoimmune diabetes associated with deafness and macrocytosis, without anemia, suggests a diagnosis of TRMA. Patients clinically diagnosed with WS with anemia and/or macrocytosis should be reevaluated for TRMA.

Keywords: compound heterozygosity; deafness; non-autoimmune diabetes; ocular pathology; thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / diagnosis
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / drug therapy*
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / genetics*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diabetes Mellitus / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / genetics*
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / drug therapy*
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / genetics*
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex / deficiency*
  • Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex / genetics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Thiamine / therapeutic use*
  • Thiamine Deficiency / congenital
  • Wolfram Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Wolfram Syndrome / genetics

Substances

  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • SLC19A2 protein, human
  • Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex
  • Thiamine

Supplementary concepts

  • Thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome