Chorionic villi ultrastructure in the prenatal diagnosis of glycogenosis type II.
OBJECTIVE
To perform the ultrastructural examination of a chorionic villi biopsy as a predictor of foetal involvement in the infantile form of glycogenosis type II (Pompe disease).


METHODS
Ultrastructural, biochemical and genetic analyses were performed on chorionic villi biopsies of three consecutive pregnancies in a woman with a previous child affected by Pompe disease.


RESULTS
In the only affected foetus, glycogen storage was observed in fibrocytes and endothelial cells of a chorionic villi sample at 11 week's gestation. Severe multi-organ involvement was demonstrated in the tissues of the aborted foetus. No abnormal material was found in the chorionic samples of two subsequent pregnancies, and a healthy boy and girl were born at term and remain unaffected. Both exhibited a partial reduction in acid maltase and were carriers of the maternal mutation.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrastructural findings correlated with biochemical and genetic results, providing a clear and early indicator of the definite diagnosis for future pregnancy management or an early therapeutic approach.
San Millan
Beatriz
B
Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Vigo, Meixoeiro, Vigo 36200, Spain.
Teijeira
Susana
S
Domínguez
Carmen
C
Vieitez
Irene
I
Navarro
Carmen
C
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015193:Chorionic Villi Sampling; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000201:enzymology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005865:Gestational Age; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006009:Glycogen Storage Disease Type II / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009154:Mutation; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics
D006003:Glycogen; C509951:GAA protein, human; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases