Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE) is a rare condition of severe protein loss from the intestine. PLE can be caused by a various disease such as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), gastroenteritis, neoplasms, after fontan procedure and Primary Intestinal Lymphangiectasia (PIL). It can be due to congenital malformation of lymphatics or secondary to other causes such as malabsorption, chemotherapeutic, infectious, or retroperitoneal fibrosis [1]. The transient protein losing from intestine may ocur during rotavirus infection. However, the mechanism of protein loss in rota infection is not clearly understood [2]. Hereby we intend to report a case of an infant with PIL following rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Data

      A 3-month-old Turkish male infant was admitted to hospital for diarrhea and failure to thrive. He was the first-born of nonconsanguineous parents, after 37 weeks gestation. Birth weight was 3350 g. Until the age of 2 month the child had a normal growth and development. There was a history of watery and bloodless diarrhea, 8-10 times in a day. His general condition was poor because of dehydration. On physical examination, he presented with abdominal distention, hyperactive bowel sounds and generalized edema.

      Laboratory examinations revealed the following values: Total serum protein 2.8 g/dl (5.7-8.2) and albumin 1.3 g/dl (3.2-4.8). Serum electrolytes; potassium 3.1 mEq/L (3.5-5.5), sodium 131 mEq/L (132-146), calcium 5.74 mEq/L (8.7-10.4), chloride 113 mEq/L (99-109), magnesium 0.6 mEq/L (1.3-2.7). Blood analyses showed metabolic acidosis with pH 7.28, and base excess-11.6 bicarbonate: 15.2 mmol/L. On the day in stool examination rotavirus antigen test wa spositive. No bacteria was detected in the stool culture. At the third day of disease rotavirus antigen was not detected. Alpha-1 anti tripsin value was 4.5 mg/g (normal value<2.6) Eosinophilic cathionic protein was normal (16.1ng/ mL). Serum total IgE and specific IgE levels were also in normal range. The elisa for CMV was negative. Abdominal ultrasound showed moderate ascites and fluid collection in the cavity of the tunica vaginalis of the testis. The doppler ultrasound and echocardiography were normal. However, during three weeks, he experienced worsening diarrhea, edema and the levels of hypoalbuminemia continued to be low. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was done and the duodenal biopsies obtained. On the endoscopy study whitish spots and snow flake appearance was seen on the duodenal mucosa (Figure 1). Duodenal biopsies revealed a dilated lymphatic ducts in submucosa (Figure 2).

Figure 1: Endoscopic findings showing whitish spots (arrows) and snowflake appearance on the duodenal mucosa.

Figure 2: Microscopy showed dilated lymphaticducts (arrows) in thesubmucosa indicating intestinal lymphangiectasia; stained with D2-40 immunohistochemistry ×10.

      The patient was started on dietary supplemantions such as basic-F Formula included high protein with Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT)-enriched oil orally. As there was no change hypoalbuminemia and in diarrhea, we started him on octreotide sub cutaneous injections of 30 mcq twice daily and periodical albumin infusions. In follow-up he is 6 months old and in an healthy condition at home. The weight was 7 kg (25 -50th percentile) and development was appropriate for age.

      PIL, also known as Waldmann’s disease first described by Waldmann et al. in 1961. It is a rare disorder characterized by enlargement of the lymphvessels in the intestine. The enlargement of the lymph vessels results in lymph leakage into the intestine. PIL can present at any age, including the adolescent, typical cases often manifest in early childhood. Signs and symptoms of the PIL include diarrhea, vomiting, growth retardation, immunodeficiency and loss of lymphatic fluid into the intestines, which results in peripheral edema, ascites and hypogammaglobulinaemia [3]. In this case the patient presented with ascites, diarrhea and hypoalbuminemia.

      Since intestinal lymphangiectasia can be primary or secondary, the diagnosis of PIL mustex clude the causes of secondary intestinal lymphangiectasia firstly. Endoscopic findings of intestinal lymphangiectasia include white frost or snowflakes in the mucosa. The diagnosis is confirmed by the intestinal biopsy that reveals the enlargement lymphatic lacteals and ducts [4]. In this case the snow flakes in the duodenal mucosa was seen and histologically, lymph lacteals dilation was observed.

      The other diagnostic workup of the child with suspected PIL includes stool alpha-1-antitrypsin level measurement, lymphoscintigraphy and ultrasound. In this case we found stool alpha-1 -anti trypsin level was elevated. Lymphoscintigraphy may reveal absent or poorly developed lymphatics vessels [5]. However, lymphoscintigraphy could not be performed due to poor state of the patient.

      PIL can be caused by mutations in PRG4 (proteoglycan 4) gene, FGFR3 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 3) gene and VEGFR3 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3) gene. More overs omegenetic disorders are associated with PIL, including CHAPLE syndrome, Turner’s syndrome, and Hennekam syndrome [3,6]. We could not carry out genetic study in our patients because of the lack of typical features of physical examination findings and funding issues.

      Some disorders such as IBD, cow’s-milk protein allergy and infections can mimic PLE [1]. How does rotavirus cause protein leakage in intestinal epithelia? The pathophysiology of PLE associated with rotavirus has not yet clarified. PLE due to rotavirus infection may be caused by several mechanisms, including the increased mucosal permeability, destruction of enterocytes, and the intestinal secretion stimulated by the proinflammatory cytokines from the rotavirus non-structural protein [2]. In 2011 Sulaiman et al. reported a child with transient PLE during rota virus infection [7]. Recently, Paris et al. reported an infant with rotavirus infection who presented with PLE [8]. In these reported cases, hypoalbuminemia was transient whereas in our patient had a persistent hypoalbuminemia after rotavirus infection , the PIL diagnosis is confirmed by the intestinal biopsy.

      Treatment of PLE consists of octreotide, periodical bumin infusion, surgical intervention and dietary supplemantions such as high protein diet with supplement of fat-soluble vitamins and a low fat with MCT [9]. Ozekı et al. Proposed everolimus has a positive effect on disease course of PIL [10]. However we have not found out any study about the use of everolimus in children with PIL. The patient was treated with octreotide, periodic albumin infusion and dietary supplemantions included MCT and high protein diet with supplement of fat-soluble vitamins.

      As a conclusion transiently protein loss is often found in rotavirus enteritis, suggesting the presence of PLE. In this instance, the diagnosis of PIL co-existing with rotavirus enteritis may be difficult. Endoscopic and histological findings may help in the differential diagnosis of PLE in case of a persistent hypoalbuminemia.