Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome

There are three main disorders caused by Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome, which result in these symptoms: • Albinism and eye problems: Individuals will have varying amounts of skin pigment (melanin). Because of the albinism there are eye problems such as light sensitivity (photophobia), strabismus (crossed eyes), and nystagmus (involuntary eye movements). Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome also impairs vision. It is also associated with granulomatous colitis, an inflammation of the colon, and with pulmonary fibrosis, a potentially fatal lung disease. ==Causes==

HPS can be caused by mutations in at least 11 different genes that encode subunits of protein complexes involved in the biogenesis of lysosome related organelles (LROs). These include HPS1, HPS3, HPS4, HPS5, HPS6, HPS7, HPS8, HPS9, HPS10 and HPS11. HPS type 2, which includes immunodeficiency in its phenotype, is caused by mutation in the AP3B1 gene. HPS1, AP3B1, HPS3, HPS4, HPS5, HPS6, DTNBP1 and Biogenesis of Lysosome-related Organelles Complex (BLOC1, BLOC1S2 and BLOC3) are associated with Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome. ==Pathophysiology==

The mechanism of Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome indicates that platelets in affected individuals accumulate abnormally with thrombin, epinephrine, and adenosine diphosphate, furthermore platelets in these individuals have a lower amount of dense bodies ==Diagnosis==

The diagnosis of HPS is established by clinical findings of hypopigmentation of the skin and hair, characteristic eye findings, and demonstration of absent dense bodies on whole mount electron microscopy of platelets. Molecular genetic testing of the HPS1 gene is available on a clinical basis for individuals from northwestern Puerto Rico. Molecular testing of the HPS3 gene is available on a clinical basis for individuals of central Puerto Rican or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. Sequence analysis is available on a clinical basis for mutations in HPS1 and HPS4. Diagnosis of individuals with other types of HPS is available on a research basis only. ==Treatment==

While there is no cure for HPS, treatment for chronic hemorrhages associated with the disorder includes therapy with vitamin E and the antidiuretic dDAVP. Considerations for patients A preoperative pulmonology consultation is needed. The anesthesia team should be aware that patients may have postoperative pulmonary complications as part of the syndrome. Preoperative hematology consultation is advisable prior to elective ocular surgeries. Since patients with the syndrome have bleeding tendencies, intraoperative, perioperative, and postoperative hemorrhages should be prevented and treated. If platelet aggregation improves with desmopressin, it may be administered in the preoperative period. However, sometimes plasmapheresis is needed in the perioperative period. Ophthalmologists should try to avoid retrobulbar blocks in patients with the syndrome. Whenever possible, patients with HPS may benefit from general endotracheal anesthesia. Phacoemulsification may help prevent intraoperative and postoperative bleeding in patients with the syndrome. Prolonged bleeding has been reported following strabismus surgery in patients with the syndrome. ==Prognosis==

The course of HPS has been mild in rare instances of the disorder, however, the general prognosis is still considered to be poor.The disease can cause dysfunctions of the lungs, intestine, kidneys, and heart. The major complication of most forms of the disorder is pulmonary fibrosis, which typically exhibits in patients ages 40–50 years. This is a fatal complication seen in many forms of HPS, and is the usual cause of death from the disorder. HPS patients who develop pulmonary fibrosis typically have type 1 or type 4. ==Research==

HPS is one of the rare lung diseases currently being studied by The Rare Lung Diseases Consortium (RLDC). The RLDC is part of the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN), an initiative of the Office of Rare Diseases Research (ORDR), of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). The RLDC is dedicated to developing new diagnostics and therapeutics for patients with rare lung diseases, through collaboration between the NIH, patient organizations and clinical investigators. ==See also==