Chediak-Higashi syndrome
Chediak-Higashi syndrome Causes
The syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease and is passed through generations due to a mutation found in the LYST or CHS1 gene. The main result of this genetic defect is that it forms granules in white blood cells and skin pigment cells. The granules then hamper the production of melanin in the skin making one's skin color pale or pigmented. Also, the granules reduce the strength of white blood cells causing defects in the immune system.
Chediak-Higashi syndrome Definition
Chediak-Higashi syndrome is an inherited disease that attacks the nervous and immune systems which results to pale-colored eyes, hair and skin.
Chediak-Higashi syndrome Symptoms and Signs
Children with Chediak-Higashi syndrome are found to have: jerky movements of the eyes albinism increased lung, skin, and mucous membrane infection Because the Chediak-Higashi syndrome involves the immune system, children with the disease are susceptible to viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus, which can lead to a fatal blood cancer-like illness. Other symptoms of the disease are: poor eyesight mental retardation weakness in the muscles peripheral neuropathy tremor seizures numbness photophobia ataxia Other signals of the Chediak-Higashi syndrome are found after medical examination. The examination results may display signs of jaundice or a swollen liver or spleen. Giant granules in the white blood cells are also to be found in blood smear, and the granules can also be detected in muscles, nerves and skin after biopsy. Platelet count would be suprisingly low, and finally, genetic tests would result to mutations in the CHS1 gene.
Chediak-Higashi syndrome Treatment
At present there is still no specific cure or treatment for the Chediak-Higashi syndrome, but bone marrow transplants are recommended to patients especially when the disease has just started to develop. Medications such as antibiotics are prescribed to cure infections, and drugs like acyclovir and other chemotherapy drugs are used when the disease has already matured. Some patients meanwhile need to undergo surgery in order to drain abscesses in the brain.