Adult-onset vanishing white matter in a patient with EIF2B3 variants misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis

Background Vanishing white matter (VWM) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by childhood ataxia with central hypomyelination. Adult-onset VWM should be considered as a differential diagnosis for suspected cases of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Targeted region sequencing (TRS) and Sanger sequencing validation were performed to identify and validate the likely pathogenic mutations in a family with VWM. Results The main clinical manifestations of the proband included decreased vision and sleepiness accompanied by atrophy of the corpus callosum, affected inner rim of the corpus callosum, decreased apparent diffusion coefficient value or persistent hyperintensity-diffusion-weighted imaging, atrophied optic nerve, and no recordable visual evoked potentials. Due to the slow development and atypical VWM image features, MS was initially suspected. After prednisone was administered, the patient’s condition did not improve significantly, and other diseases were considered. The TRS and Sanger sequencing identified compound heterozygous mutations of EIF2B3 in the proband; c.965C > G /p.Ala322Gly in exon 8 and c.130G > A/p.Glu44Lys in exon 2 were missense mutations inherited from the mother and father, respectively. The proband’s oldest brother had the same compound heterozygous mutations but showed no symptoms. Conclusion This is the first report of adult-onset VWM in a Chinese family. Initially, MS was suspected, and genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of VWM. This study may further broaden the clinical spectrum of EIF2B3 , thus providing a foundation for further research on the pathogenesis and genetic therapy for VWM.