ABSTRACT

Introduction: Stroke is the second major cause of mortality worldwide and in several cases, and it may lead to disability. Factor V Leiden is a common genetic thrombophilia, which causes activated protein C (APC) resistance. Hyperhomocysteinemia and factor V Leiden deficiency, two independent coagulopathy factors, can lead to venous and arterial infarctions in multiple small and large arteries and veins anywhere in the body. Case Report: Here, we report a unique case in which both hyperhomocysteinemia and factor V Leiden deficiency are documented together with MTHFR (C677T) (Methylene Tetra Hydro Folate Reductase) gene polymorphism and activated protein C resistance respectively. Conclusion: More interestingly, the mode of presentation in this case highly resembled that of progressive multiple sclerosis; all signs and symptoms slowly progressed without any systemic signs at first few years. Further studies needed to assess current outcomes.

Keywords:

Hyperhomocysteinemia, Thrombophilia V, MTHFR (C677T) Gene Polymorphism, Activated Protein C Resistance, Multiple Sclerosis

1. Introduction

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur-containing amino acid, which produced during the metabolism of methionine.

Deficiency of vitamin B12 and or folate may cause increased plasma levels of Hcy. As well, genetic factors such as C667T can cause elevated Hcy (eHcy). Several medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, eclampsia, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, cardiovascular disorders, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke and minimal cognitive impairment may cause eHcy [1] .

Factor V Leiden thrombophilia described by a poor anticoagulant responses to activated protein C.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and factor V Leiden deficiency, two independent coagulopathy factors, can lead to venous and arterial infarctions in multiple small and large arteries and veins anywhere in the body.

2. Case Presentation

The patient was a 45-year-old woman who slowly developed progressive paresis in her right lower and left upper extremities within few weeks. She referred to a neurologist and had brain MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) done. Based on her symptoms and the findings from her MRI, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosed for her. She received five doses of methylprednisolone (1 g/day) for 5 days and then beta interferon 1-a (Rebif) started but it was halted after 21 days due to non-compliance. She had no follow-up for 2 years, and then she returned due to worsening of presenting symptoms (paresis of right lower and left upper extremities). She advised having a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. South Africa neurology consultation (SA neurology consultation) had done within our department and we visited the patient for the first time. At this stage, the original diagnosis with MS was largely in doubt and therefore hyperbaric oxygen therapy did not seem to be a logical approach; she admitted to our ward for further examinations to confirm the diagnosis. In her first visit she was alert, awake and had normal Mental Status Examination; cranial nerves were normal, motor power of right lower and left upper extremities were 3/5, distal weaker than proximal. Right upper and left lower extremities were 4/5. Deep tendon reflexes (DTR) were 2/2, both plantar reflexes were flexor. There were no sensory deficit findings (fine touch, pinprick, position sense, and temperature). The patient could hardly walk with walking aid. Findings from routine laboratory examination (CBC, BUN, Cr., electrolytes, lipid profiles and FBS) were normal. Because of a history of abortion 10 years ago and unusual presentation of the neurologic problem, and because lesions in brain MRI were not typical for MS, we did an extended laboratory workup. In hematologic workup, factor V Leiden deficiency and Hyperhomocysteinemia were detected.

Following the MRI, results were mostly in favor of vascular origin of her brain lesions Warfarin treatment had started. The results of the rheumatologic, hematological w/u and blood chemistry results shown in the table (Table 1). She discharged after a course of physiotherapy with INR (International Normalized Ratio): 2.3 with the same but stable condition.

CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid) profile was normal with nooligoclonal bands. Brain SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography) study by TC 99 m- EDC (Technetium 99 m-Ethyl Cysteine Dimer) impressed bilateral hypoperfu-

sion of frontoparietal lobes especially on somatosensory cortices suggestive of atrophic changes.

After two years with no visits, she admitted because of deep vein thrombosis. She had discontinued warfarin due to non-compliance. After the proper treatment, she discharged on warfarin 5 mg per day. INR adjusted on 2.5. Three weeks later she referred to our clinic again due to meno-metrorhagia (Hgb was 5.5, INR: 2.3). She admitted and received two bags of packed RBC (Red Blood cell Count). Warfarin discontinued and the bleeding stopped. In this last admission she was seriously depressed, very bedridden, motor power of extremities were all 1/5, and atrophy of the distal parts was obvious. DTR was not detected and both plantar reflexes were extensor. Cranial nerves were normal. Fine touch and pinprick were normal but position and vibration senses were obviously abnormal.

Imaging

The first brain MRI obtained, at the beginning of the disease onset, was indicative of convalescent hyper signal lesions in both parietal lobes on T2WI (T2- weighted spin echo pulse sequences) and were non-enhancing Cervical MRI was normal. Two years later, when we saw the patient for the first time, MRI imaging showed non-enhancing hyper signal lesions in cerebral white matter, corpus callosum, brain stem and cervical cord on T2WI. Some small lesions of centrum semi oval were necrotic. In the last MRI at the last admission, there was a defined focus of high signal intensity within cervical cord.

The preceding images (Figures 1-3) were taken in the last admission. No contrast enhancing was noted so the images, which were taken with Gad-en- hancing, are not shown there.

Pathobiology

Patient’s peripheral blood leukocyte (WBC) was collected for genomic DNA extraction followed by Real-Time PCR analysis using specific primers. The results were positive for factor V Leiden (G 1691A, heterozygote), and for MTHFR (MethylenTetraHydroFulateReductase) (C677T, homozygote), but negative for Prothrombin (G20210A), factor XIII; tested by PCR-RFLP (Restriction Frag-

ment Length Polymorphism) method and Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 disease which was checked by ARMs-PCR method.

3. Discussion

Epidemiological evidence indicates that moderately elevated plasma homocysteine levels constitute an important risk factor for ischemic stroke [2] [3] .

Various studies have shown a strong association between hyperhomocysteinemia and the homozygous C677T mutation in the MTHFR gene [4] [5] .

Moreover, Elkelboom and colleagues have reported that hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with large artery atherosclerosis [6] . Furthermore, no association was found between the 677TT genotype and the stroke subtypes [7] [8] . However, there is a strong association between Hyperhomocysteinemia and the C677TT genotype in multiple small artery occlusions [9] .

In 1994, Bettina and colleagues described a common variation (G 1691A) in the factor V gene as a molecular defect responsible for activated protein C (APC) resistance, a previously unrecognized mechanism of inherited thrombophilia [10] [11] . The three common gene anomalies associated with venous thromboembolism (factor V Leiden mutations, prothrombin G20210A mutation and MTHFR C677T mutation) increased the risk of arterial thrombotic events to modest degree especially in patients younger than 55 years [11] [12] [13] .

The case of our patient reported here is unique because:

1- Three systems are involved simultaneously: molecular defect in factor V Leiden (G 1691Avariant), MTHFR C677T mutation and Hyperhomocysteinemia.

2- The presentation is purely neurologic in the first few years until deep vein thrombosis occurred after discontinuing warfarin. MTHFR, Hyperhomocysteinemia, and factor V Leiden deficiency lead to multiple infarctions in both the brain and spinal cord. The progressive step, identified by the worsening of her neurological signs and symptoms, lead to the incorrect diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis at first, but the case presented here emphasizes the importance of ruling out any other possible explanations that resemble signs and symptoms of MS prior to making the definite diagnosis of MS and starting the treatment.

4. Conclusion

More interestingly, the mode of presentation in this case highly resembled that of progressive multiple sclerosis; all signs and symptoms slowly progressed without any systemic signs at first few years. Further studies needed to assess current outcomes.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Actoverco Pharmaceutical Company.

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Cite this paper

Zahra, N., Alireza, S., Seyed-Massood, N., Damineh, M., Farhad, H.-S., Meghdad, K. and Baharak, M. (2017) Stroke Due to Hypercoagulable State Can Mimic Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report. World Journal of Neuroscience, 7, 267-274. https://doi.org/10.4236/wjns.2017.73022

References

Abbreviations

MTHFR: Methylene Tetra Hydro Folate Reductase;

APC: Activated Protein C;

Hcy: Homocysteine;

eHcy: elevated Homocysteine;

MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging;

SA Neurology Consultant: Neurology Consultation in South Africa;

MS: Multiple Sclerosis;

CBC: Complete Blood Count;

BUN: Blood Urea Nitrogen;

Cr.: Creatinine;

FBS: Fasting Blood Sugar;

INR: International Normalized Ratio;

CSF: Cerebrospinal Fluid;

SPECT: Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography;

TC 99m-EDC: Technetium 99m-Ethyl Cysteine Dimer;

Hgb: Hemoglobin;

RBC: Red Blood Cell Count;

DTR: Deep Tendon Reflex;

T2WI: T2-Weighted Spin Echo Pulse Sequences;

WBC: White Blood Cell Count;

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid;

PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction;

RFLP: Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism;

PAI: Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor;

ARMs: Amplification-Refractory Mutation System.

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