ADA2 deficiency (DADA2) misdiagnosed as systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis in a child carrying a novel compound heterozygous ADA2 mutation: a case report

Abstract

Background: The deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) is caused by an autosomal recessive bi-allelic loss-of-function mutation in the adenosine deaminase 2 (ADA2) gene. DADA2 is a monogenic inherited autoinflammatory disorder characterized by early-onset vasculopathy for which the symptoms range from skin lesions to very severe multiorgan involvement, including life-threatening ischemia and/or hemorrhagic strokes. Owing to the diversity of clinical presentation and the absence of suggestive features, differentiating DADA2 from other inflammatory disorders in the early stages of disease presentation is difficult. Here, we describe the case of a 3-year-old boy who had been misdiagnosed for nearly 2 years before he was definitively diagnosed with DADA2. Case Description: A previously healthy 3-year-old boy was initially diagnosed with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (soJIA) owing to recurrent unprovoked fever and elevated acute phase reactants. He developed intractable hypertension during treatment, which his doctor considered an adverse drug reaction. Monogenic inherited autoinflammatory disorders were not suspected until the patient developed intestinal perforation and ensuing recurrent abdominal pain that coincided with fever. Gene sequence analysis revealed a novel compound heterozygous mutation in ADA2. The ADA2 enzyme activity was almost completely lost in the patient. Conclusions: The broad phenotypic spectrum of DADA2 makes early diagnosis challenging. DADA2 should be considered in case of early-onset vasculitis, which is the most common phenotype of DADA2. Early identification and treatment will result in significant improvement of the disease.