[Isolated girdle weakness: expansion of the phenotypic spectrum of the MERRF 8344A>G mutation of mitochondrial DNA]

Rev Neurol. 2018 Apr 16;66(8):268-270.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: The differential diagnosis of diseases that are accompanied by adult-onset girdle weakness is broad and includes motor neurone, neuromuscular junction or muscular diseases. The 8344A>G mutation of the MTTK gene of mitochondrial DNA usually presents with involvement of multiple organs associated (or not) with girdle weakness. To date no cases of isolated girdle weakness have been reported as the presenting symptom of this mutation.

Case report: A 57-year-old male, with a four-year history of isolated clinical signs of progressive girdle weakness. He is the brother of a 59-year-old woman with the same clinical features. Muscular biopsy played a decisive role in the diagnosis and was characteristic of mitochondrial myopathy. The genetic analysis revealed the 8344A>G mutation of the MTTK gene of mitochondrial DNA.

Conclusions: The 8344A>G mutation of mitochondrial DNA can be associated with clinical signs and symptoms of adult-onset girdle weakness, and must therefore be included as part of its differential diagnosis.

Title: Debilidad aislada de cinturas: ampliacion del espectro fenotipico de la mutacion MERRF 8344A>G del ADN mitocondrial.

Introduccion. El diagnostico diferencial de los trastornos que cursan con debilidad de cinturas de inicio en la edad adulta es amplio e incluye enfermedades de neurona motora, union neuromuscular o musculo. La mutacion m.8344A>G del gen MTTK del ADN mitocondrial suele presentarse con afectacion de multiples organos asociada o no a una debilidad de cinturas. No se han descrito hasta el momento casos de debilidad de cinturas aislada como sintoma de presentacion de esta mutacion. Caso clinico. Varon de 57 años, con clinica aislada de debilidad progresiva de cinturas, de cuatro años de evolucion. Hermano de una mujer de 59 años con la misma sintomatologia. La biopsia muscular fue decisiva en el diagnostico y es caracteristica de una miopatia mitocondrial. El analisis genetico objetivo la mutacion m.8344A>G del gen MTTK del ADN mitocondrial. Conclusiones. La mutacion 8344A>G del ADN mitocondrial puede cursar con un cuadro aislado de debilidad de cinturas de inicio en el adulto, por lo que debe de formar parte del diagnostico diferencial de este.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Humans
  • MERRF Syndrome / diagnosis
  • MERRF Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • MERRF Syndrome / genetics*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Weakness / diagnosis
  • Muscle Weakness / diagnostic imaging
  • Muscle Weakness / genetics*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / diagnostic imaging
  • Muscle, Skeletal / ultrastructure
  • Mutation, Missense*
  • Phenotype
  • Point Mutation*
  • RNA, Transfer, Lys / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • RNA, Transfer, Lys