Abstract
Summary: Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder in which copper accumulaces in tissues, especially in the liver and the brain. The genetic defect affects the P type ATPase gene (ATP7B).
More than 500 mucacions causing Wilson's disease have been described. The most common mutation in Central Europe concerns H1069Q.
The symptoms of Wilson's disease inciude hepatic or neurological conditions. The hepatic condition is manifested as steatosis, acute or chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis.
The neurological condicions are most often manifested after the age of 20 as motor disorders (tremor, speech and writing disorders), which may result in severe extrapyramidal syndrome with rigidity, dysarthria and muscle contractions. The diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory assessmencs (neurological signs, liver lesions, low ceruloplasmin, increased free serum copper, high Cu volumes in urine, Kayser-Fleischer ring).
The diagnosis is confirmed by a high Cu level in liver tissue or genetic proof. Untreaced Wilson's disease causes deach of the patient.
If treaced properly the survival race approximaces co the survival rate of the common population. The treatment concerns either removal of copper from the body using chelacing agencs excreted into the urine (Penicillamine, Triencine) or limitation of copper absorption from the intestine and reducing che toxicity of copper (zinc, ammonium tetrathiomolybdate).
In the Czech Republic, Penicillamine or zinc is used. A liver transplant is indicated in patients with fulminant hepatic failure or decompensated liver cirrhosis.
In the family all siblings of the affecced individual need to be screened in order to treat any asymptomatic subjects.