Updated: Feb 6, 2009
Hartnup disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by impaired neutral (ie, monoaminomonocarboxylic) amino acid transport in the apical brush border membrane of the small intestine and the proximal tubule of the kidney. Patients present with pellagralike skin eruptions, cerebellar ataxia, and gross aminoaciduria.[1,2,3,4 ]
In 1956, Baron et al described the disorder in the Hartnup family of London; 4 of the 8 family members presented with aminoaciduria, a rash resembling pellagra, and cerebellar ataxia.[1 ]
Hartnup disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Heterozygotes are normal. Consanguinity is common. In 2004, a causative gene, SLC6A19 (MIM#608893, Genbank accession NM 001003841) , was located on band 5p15.33. SLC6A19 is a sodium-dependent and chloride-independent neutral amino acid transporter, expressed predominately in the kidneys and intestine.[5,6,7,8 ]
In 2001, homozygosity mapping by Nozaki et al in consanguineous Japanese pedigrees demonstrated linkage of Hartnup disorder to band 5p15.[8 ]A gene survey of 5p15 revealed several members of the SLC6 family comprising transporters for neurotransmitters, osmolytes, and amino acids, and linkage analysis in 7 Australian families narrowed the region to 7cM on 5p15.33 containing SLC6A18 and SLC6A19. Cloning and expression of the mouse SLC6A19 gene demonstrated that this transporter has all the properties of the amino acid transport system B0 AT1.[9,10 ]
The human SLC6A19 gene was cloned independently by 2 groups of researchers in 2004.[6,11 ]It has the same transporter properties and expression pattern as the mouse transporter. Both studies demonstrated that mutations in SLC6A19 are associated with Hartnup disorder. The requirement for 2 transport-impairing mutations for disease expression confirmed a recessive mode of inheritance.[5,6 ]
Currently, 17 mutations in SLC6A19 have been described in patients with Hartnup disorder. In all investigated individuals with Hartnup disorder, 2 mutant SLC6A19 alleles were found, confirming recessive mode of inheritance. Reanalysis of families in whom mutations in SLC6A19 were not found in the first study revealed the existence of mutations in different allelles.[5,6,12 ]Thus, in all families studied to date, allelic heterogeneity at SLC6A19 has been found, without the evidence for genetic heterogeneity of the disorder.[12 ]The most common mutation in Hartnup disorder is c.517G--> A, resulting in the amino acid substitution p.D173N, and it can be found in 43% of patients.[12 ]
Investigation of the origins of the D173N allele revealed an allele frequency estimate in the population of 0.004 and a heterozygote frequency of 1 in 122 healthy individuals of European descent. A single core haplotype surrounding the D173N alleles was found, which suggests that the mutation is identical by descent in all observed cases; therefore, it is not a result of a recurrent mutation.[13 ]Estimates of the allele age indicate that this allele arose more than 1000 years ago.[13 ]
Mutations in the SLC6A19 gene, which encodes the B0 AT1 neutral amino acid transporter, causes a failure of the transport of neutral (ie, monoaminomonocarboxylic) amino acids in the small intestine and the renal tubules.[2,4,14 ]The B0 AT1 transporter is a sodium-dependent, chloride-independent system and transports all neutral amino acids in the following order: Leu=Val=Ile=Met –> Gln=Phe=Ala=Ser=Cys=Thr –> His=Trp=Tyr=Pro=Gly.[2,15 ]B0 AT1 appears to be largely restricted to the kidneys and intestine; however, expressed sequence tags have been reported in skin.[14,15 ]
Although tryptophan is transported by this transporter rather inefficiently, it is thought to be one of the key substrates in the development of the nonrenal symptoms of Hartnup disorder. Tryptophan is converted in the liver to niacin, and approximately half of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) synthesis in humans is generated through tryptophan. As a result, tryptophan and niacin deficiencies generate similar symptoms. In addition, symptoms in persons with Hartnup disorder quickly respond to nicotinic acid supplementation.[2,4,14,15 ]
Amino acids are retained within the intestinal lumen, where they are converted by bacteria to indolic compounds that can be toxic to the CNS. Tryptophan is converted to indole in the intestine. Following absorption, indole is converted to 3-hydroxyindole (ie, indoxyl, indican) in the liver, where it is conjugated with potassium sulfate or glucuronic acid. Subsequently, it is transported to the kidneys for excretion (ie, indicanuria). Other tryptophan degradation products, including kynurenine and serotonin, are also excreted in the urine. Tubular renal transport is also defective, contributing to gross aminoaciduria. Neutral amino acids are also found in the feces.[2,4,7,14,16 ]
Resorption of the peptides may partially compensate for the lack of amino acid transport in persons with Hartnup disorder, and thus phenotypic variability is wide, which may result from a number of factors: differential resorption, allelic and genetic heterogeneity, modifier genes, and dietary intake.[17,18 ]Most patients remain asymptomatic, and it has been suggested that Hartnup phenotype becomes apparent when environmental or genetic factors predispose individuals to a lack of amino acid uptake. Oakley and Wallace reported a case of Hartnup disease in an adult, with the first appearance of symptoms after prolonged lactation and increased physical activity.[19 ]
Newborn screening programs in Australia and North America have identified an overall incidence of 1 case per 30,000 births; in Massachusetts, it was 1 case per 23,000 births.[20 ]With an overall prevalence of 1 case per 24,000 population (range, 1 case per 18,000-42,000 population), Hartnup disease ranks among the most common amino acid disorders in humans.[20 ]
Newborn screening programs in Australia and North America have identified an overall incidence 1 case per 25,000 births in New South Wales and 1 case per 54,000 births in Quebec.[20 ]The disorder has been reported to occur in all ethnic groups studied to date, including those from Israel, Japan, West Africa, and India.
Hartnup disease is manifested by a wide clinical spectrum. Most patients remain asymptomatic, but, in a minority of patients, skin photosensitivity and neurologic and psychiatric symptoms may have a considerable influence on quality of life. Rarely, severe CNS involvement may lead to death. Mental retardation and short stature have been described in a few patients. Malnutrition and a low-protein diet are the primary factors that contribute to morbidity.[3,17,18,20,21 ]
No racial predilection is recognized for Hartnup disease.[20 ]
No sexual predilection has been reported for Hartnup disease.[20 ]
The onset of Hartnup disease is in childhood, usually in children aged 3-9 years, but it may present as early as 10 days after birth. In addition, a case of Hartnup disease presenting for the first time in an adult female, after prolonged lactation and increased physical activity, is described.[3,19,20 ]
Hartnup disease is manifested by a wide clinical spectrum (see Physical for a complete discussion of the clinical signs).[17,18,22 ]
Exacerbations are seen most frequently in the spring or early summer after exposure to sunlight. The attacks may be provoked by a febrile illness, poor nutrition, sulfonamides, and possibly emotional stress and increased physical activity.[19,20 ]
Ataxia-Telangiectasia
Hydroa Vacciniforme
Pityriasis Alba
Xeroderma Pigmentosum
Rash
Infantile atopic eczema
Seborrheic eczema
Nutritional pellagra (Misdiagnosis can be prevented by performing urine chromatography.)
Congenital poikilodermas with photosensitivity (eg, Cockayne syndrome)
Malar rash of lupus erythematosus
Carcinoid syndrome (may lead to disturbance of tryptophan metabolism and pellagralike rash)
Indicanuria in inborn errors of amino acid metabolism (eg, phenylketonuria, blue diaper syndrome)
Central nervous system
Ataxia-telangiectasia (can cause diagnostic difficulties, especially in patients with mild skin involvement)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (can be confused if photosensitivity with neuropsychiatric symptoms is present)
Other ataxias with biochemical and genetic defects
Changes in the skin are similar to those seen in pellagra. Findings are not diagnostic and include hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, epidermal atrophy, hyperpigmentation of the basal layer, and a mild superficial dermal lymphocytic infiltrate. Bullae may be either intraepidermal or subepidermal. Hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands with follicular dilatation and plugging may occur.[19,20,21 ]
Medical care is discussed as follows:[3,17,20,21,24 ]
Helpful consultations are as follows[3,21,24,26 ]:
Advise patients who are symptomatic to consume a high-protein diet because it decreases the number of attacks.[3,20,27 ]
Advise patients to protect themselves from sunlight. Protective clothing, hats and eyewear, and physical and chemical sunscreens provide photoprotection.[21 ]
Nicotinic acid or nicotinamide (50-300 mg/d) provides relief from both the skin manifestations and the neurologic manifestations.[3,17,27 ]
Administration of tryptophan ethyl ester (a lipid-soluble tryptophan metabolite) in a child with Hartnup disease at a dose of 20 mg/kg every 6 hours resulted in normalization of serum and cerebrospinal fluid tryptophan levels.[27 ]
Vitamins are necessary for normal growth and development. These agents are used to replace essential vitamins not obtained in sufficient quantities in the diet or to further supplement levels.
Nicotinamide is more commonly recommended.
Source of niacin used in tissue respiration, lipid metabolism, and glycogenolysis. Provides relief from skin and neurologic manifestations.
50-100 mg PO tid/qid; not to exceed 500 mg/d
50-100 mg/dose PO tid
Cutaneous vasodilation may be problematic if high dose is used with peripheral dilators (eg, nitroglycerin); decreased effect of oral hypoglycemics; may inhibit uricosuric effects of sulfinpyrazone and probenecid; decreased toxicity (flush) with aspirin; increased toxicity with lovastatin (myopathy) and possibly with other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors; adrenergic blocking agents can have additive vasodilating effect and postural hypotension
Documented hypersensitivity; active liver disease or unexplained significant increases in AST and ALT levels; large doses of niacin, especially when administered in SR form (associated with severe hepatotoxicity, peptic ulcer, severe hypotension, arterial hemorrhaging)
A - Fetal risk not revealed in controlled studies in humans
C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Caution in gallbladder disease, diabetes, and in patients predisposed to gout; monitor blood glucose levels and liver function test results; may elevate uric acid levels; taking aspirin 30-60 min before first daily dose may help alleviate prostaglandin-mediated adverse effects of niacin (eg, flushing, itching); clonidine may inhibit niacin-induced flushing; some products may contain tartrazine
Deterrence and prevention are as follows[19,20 ]:
Complications are as follows[3,17,26 ]:
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Azmanov DN, Kowalczuk S, Rodgers H, et al. Further evidence for allelic heterogeneity in Hartnup disorder. Hum Mutat. Oct 2008;29(10):1217-21. [Medline].
Azmanov DN, Rodgers H, Auray-Blais C, et al. Persistence of the common Hartnup disease D173N allele in populations of European origin. Ann Hum Genet. Nov 2007;71:755-61. [Medline].
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Hartnup disease, Hartnup disorder, Hartnup aminoaciduria, Hartnup syndrome, MIM #234500, Mendelian Inheritance in Man #234500
Lidija Kandolf Sekulovic, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Head of the First Division, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Military Medical Academy, Serbia
Lidija Kandolf Sekulovic, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and Serbian Association of DermatoVenereologists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Djordjije Karadaglic, MD, DSc, Professor, School of Medicine, University of Podgorica, Podgorica, Montenegro
Djordjije Karadaglic, MD, DSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, and Serbian Association of DermatoVenereologists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Ljubomir Stojanov, MD, PhD, Professor, University of Belgrade School of Medicine, Serbia
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Mark A Crowe, MD, Assistant Clinical Instructor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine
Mark A Crowe, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and North American Clinical Dermatologic Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
David F Butler, MD, Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic
David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.