Mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency (ORPHA:746)
A rare disorder of fatty acid oxidation characterized by a wide clinical spectrum ranging from severe neonatal manifestations including cardiomyopathy, hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, skeletal myopathy and neuropathy, liver disease and death to a mild phenotype with peripheral polyneuropathy, episodic rhabdomyolysis and pigmentary retinopathy..
Epidemiology
TFPD has been reported in less than 100 cases in the literature.
Clinical description
The neonatal onset, severe form manifests as hepatic steatosis, cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy and neuropathy and is usually fatal. A moderately severe form, with onset usually from the neonatal period to 18 months of age, presents primarily with hypoketotic hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis which is often precipitated by prolonged fasting and/or intercurrent illness. Both forms can manifest with neuropathy with or without cardiomyopathy and can be fatal. The mild form merges with the moderately severe infantile form and can present from a few months of age until adolescence as a peripheral polyneuropathy with episodic rhabdomyolysis triggered by prolonged fasting, illness, exercise or exposure to heat or cold. There is respiratory failure associated with the episodes of rhabdomyolysis. A pigmentary retinopathy may also develop over time. Very occasionally, adults presenting for the first time with a previously unrecognized disease are described.
Etiology
The TFP, composed of 4 alpha and 4 beta subunits, catalyzes 3 steps in mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids which are the long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD), long-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase (LCEH), and long-chain thiolase (LCTH) steps. The HADHA gene (2p23) encodes the LCEH and LCHAD enzymes and the HADHB gene (2p23) encodes the LCTH enzyme. Two mutations in either one of these two genes causes TFPD.
Diagnostic methods
Urine organic acids may show a C6-C14 (hydroxy) dicarboxylic aciduria, and blood acylcarnitine analysis often shows increased long chain hydroxyacyl carnitine species (C14-OH, C16-OH, C18-OH, C18:1-OH). Both urine and blood markers are less reliable and more variable than those seen in LCHAD deficiency (see this term). This is because defects in LCEH may block the formation of hydroxy-metabolites. Reduced enzyme activity in at least two (usually all 3) enzymes in cultured fibroblasts is seen. Molecular analysis confirming bi-allelic non-1528C>G mutations in the HADHA gene or bi-allelic mutations in the HADHBgene confirms diagnosis. Newborn screening is available in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Netherlands and Portugal.
Differential diagnosis
Sudden infant death syndrome and isolated LCHAD deficiency (see this term) form part of the differential diagnosis. LCHAD deficiency is clinically indistinguishable from severe TFPD.
Antenatal diagnosis
Prenatal diagnosis is possible by analyzing enzyme activity in chorionic villi samples, once a deficiency of TFP has been established in the index case/family. Molecular analysis is the preferred option when two mutations have been identified in a family.
Genetic counseling
TFPD is an autosomal recessive disorder and genetic counseling is possible.
Management and treatment
Treatment involves adherence to a low fat diet with restriction of long chain fatty acid intake and substitution with medium chain fatty acids. Fasting and exposure to environmental extremes must be strictly avoided and exercise should be limited.
Prognosis
Prognosis for the severe neonatal form of TFPD is very poor. The later onset mild form has a far more favorable prognosis.

                            Last update: 
                            February 2014


                            - Expert reviewer(s): 
                            Dr Simon OLPIN