MPS screening methods, the berry spot and acid turbidity tests, cause a high incidence of false-negative results in Sanfilippo and Morquio syndromes

Because of differences in the types and quantities of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in various mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs), MPS screening tests, including the Berry spot and acid turbidity tests, are not specific or sensitive enough for the preliminary diagnosis of MPS. A false-negative result is common. We analyzed urine samples collected from 492 patients who were examined for inborn errors of metabolism using the Berry spot and acid turbidity (qualitative and quantitative) tests. Of those, 48 MPS patients (seven with MPS 1, 17 with MPS 11, nine with MPS 111, 11 with MPS IV, and four with MPS VI) underwent preliminary differentiation between MPS types by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-EP), and were confirmed by enzymatic assay. Approximately 21.0% and 7.1% of the 492 samples showed positive reactions in the Berry spot and acid turbidity tests, respectively. Of these, a total of 35 samples with MPS types 1, 11, and VI showed strong positive reactions in both tests. Five patients with Sanfilippo (MPS 111) and six patients with Morquio (IV) syndromes showed false-negative results in both tests. In our study, approximately 13.8% (68 in 492 samples) samples showed a positive reaction in the Berry spot test but a negative one in the acid turbidity test, for unknown reasons. The Berry spot and acid turbidity tests are used extensively for the preliminary diagnosis of MPS in Asia; however, the possibility of a misdiagnosis of MPS type III and IV with both tests should be kept in mind. For accurate diagnosis and confirmation of MPS, the 2D-EP method and enzymatic assay are recommended. They provide high sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency in diagnosing MPS. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.