Recurring episodes of myoglobinuria, i.e., of the presence of myoglobin in the urine. This is usually a consequence of rhabdomyolysis, i.e., of the destruction of muscle tissue.

Presence of myoglobin in the urine following exercise.

An abnormal appearance of muscle fibers observed on muscle biopsy. Ragged red fibers can be visualized with Gomori trichrome staining as irregular and intensely red subsarcolemmal zones, whereas the normal myofibrils are green. The margins of affect fibers appear red and ragged. The ragged-red is due to the accumulation of abnormal mitochondria below the plasma membrane of the muscle fiber, leading to the appearance of a red rim and speckled sarcoplasm.

Recurring episodes of myoglobinuria, i.e., of the presence of myoglobin in the urine. This is usually a consequence of rhabdomyolysis, i.e., of the destruction of muscle tissue.

Primary CoQ10 deficiency is a rare, clinically heterogeneous autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutation in any of the genes encoding proteins directly involved in the synthesis of coenzyme Q (review by Quinzii and Hirano, 2011). Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), or ubiquinone, is a mobile lipophilic electron carrier critical for electron transfer by the mitochondrial inner membrane respiratory chain (Duncan et al., 2009). The disorder has been associated with 4 major phenotypes, but the molecular basis has not been determined in most patients with the disorder and there are no clear genotype/phenotype correlations. The phenotypes include an encephalomyopathic form with seizures and ataxia (Ogasahara et al., 1989); a multisystem infantile form with encephalopathy, cardiomyopathy and renal failure (Rotig et al., 2000); a predominantly cerebellar form with ataxia and cerebellar atrophy (Lamperti et al., 2003); and Leigh syndrome with growth retardation (van Maldergem et al., 2002). The correct diagnosis is important because some patients may show a favorable response to CoQ10 treatment. Genetic Heterogeneity of Primary Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency See also COQ10D2 (614651), caused by mutation in the PDSS1 gene (607429) on chromosome 10p12; COQ10D3 (614652), caused by mutation in the PDSS2 gene (610564) on chromosome 6q21; COQ10D4 (612016), caused by mutation in the COQ8 gene (ADCK3; 606980) on chromosome 1q42; COQ10D5 (614654), caused by mutation in the COQ9 gene (612837) on chromosome 16q21; COQ10D6 (614650), caused by mutation in the COQ6 gene (614647) on chromosome 14q24; COQ10D7 (616276), caused by mutation in the COQ4 gene (612898) on chromosome 9q34; COQ10D8 (616733), caused by mutation in the COQ7 gene (601683) on chromosome 16p13; and COQ10D9 (619028), caused by mutation in the COQ5 gene (616359) on chromosome 12q24. Secondary CoQ10 deficiency has been reported in association with glutaric aciduria type IIC (MADD; 231680), caused by mutation in the ETFDH gene (231675) on chromosome 4q, and with ataxia-oculomotor apraxia syndrome-1 (AOA1; 208920), caused by mutation in the APTX gene (606350) on chromosome 9p13.

Long-chain hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency and trifunctional protein (TFP) deficiency are caused by impairment of mitochondrial TFP. TFP has three enzymatic activities – long-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase, long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and long-chain 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase. In individuals with LCHAD deficiency, there is isolated deficiency of long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, while deficiency of all three enzymes occurs in individuals with TFP deficiency. Individuals with TFP deficiency can present with a severe-to-mild phenotype, while individuals with LCHAD deficiency typically present with a severe-to-intermediate phenotype. Neonates with the severe phenotype present within a few days of birth with hypoglycemia, hepatomegaly, encephalopathy, and often cardiomyopathy. The intermediate phenotype is characterized by hypoketotic hypoglycemia precipitated by infection or fasting in infancy. The mild (late-onset) phenotype is characterized by myopathy and/or neuropathy. Long-term complications include peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy.