Peter Solík, Peter Lesný, Milan Luknár, Ivan Varga, Eva Goncalvesová
Fabry disease is a rare, inherited, metabolic, so-called lysosomal disease. The disease is caused by a mutation of a gene located on the long arm of X-chromosome encoding the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. Partial or complete lack of activity of this enzyme results in the accumulation of glycosphingolipid fission products in lysosomes of various cells. The affected organs are especially the heart, kidneys, skin and nervous system. The prognosis of patients without treatment is unfavourable and it is worse for men than women. The cause of death is mainly renal failure and cardiovascular events. Enzyme replacement therapy provides a significant improvement in the prognosis of patients.