Novel compound heterozygous variants in the PCCB gene causing adult-onset propionic acidemia presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Propionic acidemia (PA) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of metabolism caused by mutations in the PCCA or PCCB gene, leading to propionyl CoA carboxylase (PCC) enzyme deficiencies. Most PA patients present variable clinical phenotypes and severity in the neonatal or infant period, with only a few developing symptoms after infancy. This report describes a PA patient with an adult-onset phenotype and a novel compound heterozygous mutation in the PCCB gene. To further explore the genotype–phenotype correlations in late-onset PA, we performed a literature review focusing on and summarizing 11 patients with PCC gene mutations who had the first onset and/or the definite diagnosis after infancy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 21-year-old PA patient presented with weakness of four limbs, gait abnormalities, two episodes of seizures, mental and behavior disorders after severe vomiting. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) demonstrated sustained bilateral caudate head and putamen symmetrical hyperintensity. Biochemical investigations revealed plasma amino and urine values correlating with a PA profile. Genetic analysis confirmed novel compound heterozygous variants in PCCB, with a newly-found pathogenic mutation (c.467T>C) and the c.1316A>G mutation associated with pathogenicity. CONCLUSION: We identified a novel compound heterozygous mutation in the PCCB gene causing late-onset PA. Patients carrying mutations in the PCCB gene tend to develop late-onset PA and present neuropsychiatric symptoms and/or signs. Further molecular biological research is needed to explore the genotype–phenotype correlations of PA. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12920-022-01202-2.