[Chronic granulomatous disease as a rare differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease].

Abstract

Background:  Chronic granulomatous disease is a rare disease with a prevalence of approximately 150 cases in Germany. An intestinal manifestation that mimics chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has only been described in a few cases. As a result of a deficient superoxide-synthesis, frequent and recurrent infections caused by rare pathogens have been described. We present the case of a 28-year old patient who has been diagnosed with IBD at the age of 2 years. He showed recurrent liver abscesses and the picture of a chronic IBD.

Methods:  Clinical and laboratory data was obtained and endoscopic, radiologic and histologic examinations, tests for granulocytic functions as well as a genetic analysis were performed. Literature of the PubMed database and recent literature were analyzed.

Case:  Under immunosuppressive therapy, with TNF -blocker Adalimumab followed by therapy with integrin-receptor antagonist Vedolizumab, the patient developed recurrent abscesses of the liver. Those were the result of infection with a sensitive Staphylococcus aureus strain. Colonoscopy showed stenosis of the rectum and some inflammatory activity. Intestinal symptoms were unresponsive to all therapies for IBD. Furthermore, there was a presence of active acne and recurrent liver abscesses due to bacteria not typical for intestinal infections. Consequently, we considered a granulocyte dysfunction as the underlying cause. Diagnosis of a chronic granulomatous disease was confirmed by flow cytometry and oxidative burst test. Genetic analysis showed a homozygote mutation of the p47phox (NCF1) gene located on chromosome 7, which represents the most common autosomal recessive form with 20 - 25 % of cases.

Results:  In light of recent literature, this case report shows that chronic granulomatous disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis to therapy refractory IBD. This is the case, especially in young patients, when recurrent bacterial lesions caused by intestine-atypical pathogens appear.