Liver Cirrhosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Liver Cirrhosis, including details on alcohol, treatment, drugs, effects, causes. | ||||||||
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Fibrinogen gamma375 arg-->trp mutation (fibrinogen aguadilla) causes hereditary hypofibrinogenemia, hepatic endoplasmic reticulum storage disease and cirrhosis.Rubbia-Brandt L, Neerman-Arbez M, Rougemont AL, Malé PJ, Spahr L Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology Unit, University Hospital, 24 rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. laura.rubbia-brandt@hcuge.ch Hypofibrinogenemia is a rare inherited disorder characterized by low levels of circulating fibrinogen, caused by mutations within 1 of the 3 fibrinogen genes. We report here the case of a 61-year-old man with chronic liver function test alterations. Liver biopsy examination revealed chronic hepatitis complicated by cirrhosis and weakly eosinophilic globular cytoplasmic inclusions within the hepatocytes, faintly stained with PAS-diastase. On immunohistochemistry, the inclusions reacted strongly with human antifibrinogen antibodies. Coagulation investigations of the propositus and his 2 sons showed low functional and antigenic fibrinogen concentrations that were indicative of hypofibrinogenemia. A liver biopsy performed on the 28-year-old son demonstrated the same globular cytoplasmic inclusions, albeit without associated chronic liver disease. PCR amplification followed by sequencing showed that all 3 were heterozygous for a CGG>TGG mutation at codon 375 of the fibrinogen gamma-chain gene (FGG), corresponding to an Arg>Trp substitution. This is the first in an adult male and the second published case with a discernible hepatic fibrinogen endoplasmic reticulum storage disease due to an FGG Arg375Trp (fibrinogen Aguadilla) mutation. Our results suggest that familial hypofibrinogenemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a progressive liver disease associated to hepatocellular intracytoplasmic globular inclusions. Published 4 July 2006 in Am J Surg Pathol, 30(7): 906-11.
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