Alpha-mannosidosis
Overview
What is Alpha-mannosidosis?
Alpha-mannosidosis is a genetic condition that causes a progressive storage disorder in the organs of the body. Genetic changes or, mutations, in the MAN2B1 gene cause complex sugar molecules called oligosaccharides to build up in different parts of the body. This buildup of oligosaccharides causes health problems for people with Alpha-mannosidosis, which is why it is caused a storage disorder or, more specifically, a lysosomal storage disorder. The main health problems the buildup of oligosaccharides can cause in people with Alpha-mannosidosis include intellectual disability, pronounced or "coarse" facial features, and skeletal problems like abnormally shaped back bones (vertebrae), thickened bones at the top of the skull, reduced bone density (osteopenia), bowed legs, and knock-knee abnormalities. People with Alpha-mannosidosis can also have medical problems such as frequent infections, hearing loss, vision loss from cloudy corneas, enlargement of the liver and spleen, muscle weakness and problems coordinating movement (ataxia).
More Overview Content
Are there other names for Alpha-mannosidosis?
What is the usual abbreviation for Alpha-mannosidosis?
Are there other names for Alpha-mannosidosis?
Other names for Alpha-mannosidosis include Alpha-mannosidase B Deficiency, and Lysosomal Alpha-D-Mannosidase Deficiency.
References
Alpha-mannosidosis is a very rare condition. There is little information on how many people are affected with this disorder. Reports vary from 1 in 300,000 to fewer than 1 in 500,000 people.
References
What is the usual abbreviation for Alpha-mannosidosis?
Alpha-mannosidosis is not usually abbreviated and is typically written as alpha-mannosidosis.