Chédiak-Higashi syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive immunodeficiency disorder characterized by impaired lysis of phagocytized bacteria, resulting in recurrent bacterial respiratory and other infections and oculocutaneous albinism. Genetic testing for mutations can confirm the diagnosis. Treatment includes prophylactic antibiotics, interferon gamma, and sometimes corticosteroids. Sometimes hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is curative.
(See also Overview of Immunodeficiency Disorders and Approach to the Patient With an Immunodeficiency Disorder.)
Chédiak-Higashi syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive primary immunodeficiency disorder that involves phagocytic cell defects. The syndrome is caused by a mutation in the LYST (lysosomal trafficking regulator; also known as CHS1) gene. Giant lysosomal granules develop in neutrophils and other cells (eg, melanocytes, neural Schwann cells). The abnormal lysosomes cannot fuse with phagosomes, so ingested bacteria cannot be lysed normally.
Symptoms and Signs of Chédiak-Higashi Syndrome
Clinical findings of Chédiak-Higashi syndrome include oculocutaneous albinism and susceptibility to recurrent respiratory and other infections.
In approximately 80% of patients, an accelerated phase occurs, causing fever, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia, bleeding diathesis, and neurologic changes. Once the accelerated phase occurs, the syndrome is usually fatal within 30 months.
Diagnosis of Chédiak-Higashi Syndrome
Genetic testing
Neutropenia, decreased natural killer–cell cytotoxicity, and hypergammaglobulinemia are common.
A peripheral blood smear is examined for giant granules in neutrophils and other cells; a bone marrow smear is examined for giant inclusion bodies in leukocyte precursor cells.
The diagnosis of Chédiak-Higashi syndrome can be confirmed with genetic testing for LYST mutations.
Because this disorder is extremely rare, there is no need to screen relatives unless clinical suspicion is high. Even if a sibling is a carrier, the likelihood of them encountering another carrier and having children is extremely low.
Treatment of Chédiak-Higashi Syndrome
Supportive care using antibiotics, interferon gamma, and sometimes corticosteroids
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Prophylactic antibiotics can help prevent infections, and interferon gamma can help restore some immune system function. Pulse doses of corticosteroids and splenectomy sometimes induce transient remission of Chédiak-Higashi syndrome.
However, unless hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is done, most patients with Chédiak-Higashi syndrome die of infections by age 7 years. Transplantation of unfractionated human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical bone marrow after pretransplantation cytoreductive chemotherapy may be curative. Five-year posttransplantation survival rate is approximately 60% (1).
Treatment reference
1. Eapen M, DeLaat CA, Baker KS, et al: Hematopoietic cell transplantation for Chediak-Higashi syndrome. Bone Marrow Transplant 39(7):411–415, 2007. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1705600
