A child presents with bone pain and hepatosplenomegaly. A trephine biopsy and aspirate show the following finding. Which of the following is the most likely enzyme deficient in this condition? La d

Correct Answer: A. Glucocerebrosidase

The clinical presentation of bone pain, hepatosplenomegaly, and bone marrow findings showing Gaucher cells (lipid-laden macrophages with a characteristic "wrinkled tissue paper" or "crinkled silk" appearance) is pathognomonic for Gaucher disease. This is the most common lysosomal storage disorder in India and worldwide. Gaucher disease results from deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (also called β-glucosidase or acid β-glucosidase), which normally catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucocerebroside (glucosylceramide) into glucose and ceramide. Without this enzyme, glucocerebroside accumulates in macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system, forming characteristic Gaucher cells. These cells infiltrate the bone marrow (causing bone pain and pathological fractures), liver, and spleen (causing hepatosplenomegaly). The trephine biopsy showing these pathognomonic cells is the diagnostic hallmark. Gaucher disease has three clinical types: Type 1 (non-neuronopathic, most common in India), Type 2 (acute neuronopathic), and Type 3 (chronic neuronopathic). The enzyme deficiency is the fundamental biochemical defect underlying all clinical manifestations.

Why the other options are wrong

B. Alpha 1,4-glucosidase — Alpha 1,4-glucosidase (acid maltase) deficiency causes Pompe disease (glycogen storage disease Type II), which presents with muscle weakness, cardiomegaly, and respiratory failure—not bone pain or Gaucher cells. This enzyme breaks down glycogen, not glucocerebroside. The bone marrow findings would be normal in Pompe disease. C. Sphingomyelinase — Sphingomyelinase deficiency causes Niemann-Pick disease, which presents with hepatosplenomegaly and neurological symptoms, but the characteristic cells are foamy macrophages filled with sphingomyelin, not the wrinkled-tissue-paper Gaucher cells. Bone pain is not a primary feature of Niemann-Pick disease. D. Hexosaminidase — Hexosaminidase deficiency causes Tay-Sachs disease (if Hex-A deficient) or Sandhoff disease (if Hex-A and Hex-B deficient), both presenting with severe neurological deterioration, developmental regression, and cherry-red spots on the macula—not bone pain or hepatosplenomegaly as primary features. Bone marrow involvement is not characteristic.

High-Yield Facts

Mnemonics

GAUCHER = Glucocerebrosidase deficiency G = Glucocerebrosidase (enzyme deficient); A = Accumulation of glucocerebroside; U = Unusual cells (Gaucher cells); C = Characteristic wrinkled appearance; H = Hepatosplenomegaly; E = Enzyme replacement therapy; R = Reticuloendothelial infiltration. Use this when you see bone pain + hepatosplenomegaly + lipid-laden macrophages. LSDs by Enzyme (Quick Recall) Gaucher = Glucocerebrosidase; Niemann-Pick = Sphingomyelinase; Tay-Sachs = Hexosaminidase-A; Pompe = Acid maltase. Pair each disease with its deficient enzyme for rapid differentiation.

NBE Trap

NBE may pair hepatosplenomegaly with sphingomyelinase (Niemann-Pick) to trap students who confuse lysosomal storage disorders. The discriminator is the bone pain and Gaucher cells—unique to Gaucher disease—not just hepatosplenomegaly alone.

Clinical Pearl

In Indian pediatric practice, Type 1 Gaucher disease is the most common lysosomal storage disorder presenting to orthopedic and hematology clinics. Bone pain and pathological fractures (especially femoral head avascular necrosis) are often the presenting complaint in children, making early recognition of Gaucher cells on bone marrow biopsy critical for timely ERT initiation and prevention of skeletal complications.

_Reference: Robbins Ch. 5 (Genetic Disorders); Harper Biochemistry Ch. 47 (Lysosomal Storage Diseases); KD Tripathi Pharmacology (Enzyme Replacement Therapy)_