Triple-A syndrome

Triple A syndrome
Classification and external resources
OMIM 231550
DiseasesDB 32088
eMedicine ped/71

Triple-A syndrome (AAA), also known as Achalasia-Addisonianism-Alacrimia syndrome or Allgrove Syndrome,[1] is a rare autosomal recessive congenital disorder. In most cases, there is no family history of it.[2] The syndrome was discovered by Jeremy Allgrove and colleagues in 1978. Triple A stands for achalasia-addisonianism-alacrima syndrome. Alacrima is usually the earliest manifestation.[3] It is a progressive disorder that can take years to develop the full blown clinical picture.[4]

Contents

Characteristics

Individuals affected by AAA have adrenal insufficiency due to ACTH resistance, alacrima (absence of tear secretion), and achalasia (a failure of a ring of muscle fibers, such as a sphincter, to relax) of the lower esophageal sphincter at the cardia which delays food going to the stomach and causes dilation of the thoracic oesophagus. There may also signs of autonomic dysfunction with AAA, such as pupillary abnormalities, an abnormal reaction to intradermal histamine, abnormal sweating, orthostatic hypotension, and disturbances of the heart rate.[5] Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is often mentioned as an early sign.[4] The disorder has also been associated with mild mental retardation.[4]

The syndrome is highly variable. Managed effectively, affected individuals can have a normal lifespan and bear children.

Cause and Genetics

Triple-A syndrome is associated with mutations in the AAAS gene, which encodes a protein known as ALADIN (ALacrima Achalasia aDrenal Insuffiency Neurologic disorder).[6][7] In 2000, Huebner et al. mapped the syndrome to a 6 cM interval on human chromosome 12q13 near the type II keratin gene cluster.[8] Since inheritance and gene for the association is known, early diagnosis can allow genetic counseling.[3]

See also

External links

  1. ^ Online 'Mendelian Inheritance in Man' (OMIM) 231550
  2. ^ Dusek, Tina; Korsic, Marta; Koehler, Katrin; Perkovic, Zdravko; Huebner, Angela; Korsic, Mirko (2006). "A Novel AAAS Gene Mutation (p.R194X) in a Patient with Triple A Syndrome". Hormone Research 65: 171–176. doi:10.1159/000092003. PMID 16543750. 
  3. ^ a b Bharadia, Lalit; Kalla, Mukesh; Sharma, S K; Charan, Rohit; Gupta, J B; Khan, Firoz (2005). "Triple A Syndrome". Indian Journal of Gastroenterology 24 (5): 218–9. PMID 16361770. 
  4. ^ a b c Prpic, I.; Huebner, A.; Persic, M.; Handschugg, K.; Pavletic, M. (2003). "Triple A syndrome: genotype-phenotype assessment". Clinical Genetics 63: 414–417. 
  5. ^ Brooks, B.P.; Kleta, R.; Stuart, C.; Tuchman, M.; Jeong, A.; Stergiopoulos, S.G.; Bei, T.; Bjornson, B.; Russell, L.; Chanoine, J-P.; Tsagarakis, S.; Kalsner, LR.; Stratakis, CA. (2005). "Genotype heterogeneity and clinical phenotype in triple A syndrome". Clinical Genetics 68: 215–221. doi:10.1111/j.1399-0004.2005.00482.x. PMID 16098009. 
  6. ^ Huebner, Angela; Kaindl, A.M.; Knobeloch, K.P.; Petzold, H.; Mann, P.; Koehler, K. (2004). "The Triple A Syndrome Is Due to Mutations in Aladin, a Novel Member of the Nuclear Pore Complex". Endocrine Research 30: 891–899. doi:10.1081/ERC-200044138. PMID 15666842. 
  7. ^ Salmaggi A, Zirilli L, Pantaleoni C, et al. (2008). "Late-onset triple A syndrome: a risk of overlooked or delayed diagnosis and management". Horm. Res. 70 (6): 364–372. doi:10.1159/000161867. PMID 18953174. http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?typ=fulltext&file=000161867. 
  8. ^ Huebner A, Yoon SJ, Ozkinay F, et al. (Nov 2000). "Triple A syndrome--clinical aspects and molecular genetics". Endocr. Res. 26 (4): 751–759. doi:10.3109/07435800009048596. PMID 11196451. 

External links