We studied 20 infants with suspected hepatocerebral MDS referred to our tertiary care center between 2007 and 2013. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood leukocytes, liver, and/or skeletal muscle samples by standard methods. Mitochondrial DNA copy number relative to nuclear DNA levels was determined in muscle and/or liver DNA using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and compared with age-matched controls. Nuclear candidate genes, including polymerase 纬, MPV17, and DGUOK were sequenced using standard analyses.
We identified pathogenic MPV17 and DGUOK mutations in 11 infants (6 females) representing 2.5% of the 450 cases of infantile cholestasis and 22% of the 50 cases of infantile liver failure referred to our center during the study period. All of the 11 patients manifested cholestasis that was followed by a rapidly progressive liver failure and death before 2 years of life. Mitochondrial DNA depletion was demonstrated in liver or muscle for 8 out of the 11聽cases where tissue was available. Seven patients had mutations in the MPV17 gene (3 novel mutations), 4 patients had DGUOK mutations (of which 2 were novel mutations).
Mutations in the MPV17 and DGUOK genes are present in a significant percentage of infants with liver failure and are associated with poor prognosis.