Wilson's disease

Abstract

Wilson's disease is an autosomal, recessive-inherited disorder of impaired biliary copper excretion that results in the accumulation of copper in various organs including the liver, the cornea and the brain. The Wilson's disease gene on chromosome 13 codes for a copper transporting P-type ATPase-ATP7B. More than 60 mutations of this gene have been described. The diagnosis of Wilson's disease is based on clinical findings and laboratory abnormalities and can be made if two of the following symptoms are present: Kayser-Fleischer rings; topical neurologic symptoms; and low serum ceruloplasmin levels. In less typical cases diagnosis requires various other tests of copper metabolism. Effective medical treatment with copper chelators (D-penicillamine, trientine) or zinc results in symptomatic improvement and normal life expectancy. Orthotopic liver transplantation is indicated in advanced cases with hepatic decompensation or in patients with fulminant Wilson's disease.