Trimethylaminuria is a rare disease in which the body cannot break down trimethylamine. A dietary-derived compound that has a strong smell of rotten fish.
Trimethylaminuria, also known as the ‘fish odor syndrome’, It is caused by a failure in the production of the enzyme flavinmooxygenase (FMO3). This enzyme is responsible for breaking down trimethylamine (TMA), which can otherwise only be eliminated through perspiration, urine or breath.
A rare disease What are the signs and symptoms of fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria)?
As trimethylamine builds up in the body, it causes theAffected individuals have a fishy odor in their sweat, urine, and breath.. The intensity of this odor can vary over time.
The strong body odor that causes this rare disease can interfere with many aspects of daily life, affecting a person’s relationships, social life and career. Some people with trimethylaminuria experience depression and social isolation as a result of this condition.
What causes fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria)?
Although genetic mutations account for the majority of cases of trimethylaminuria, the condition can also be caused by other factors. A fish-like body odor may result from an excess of certain proteins in the diet or from an increase in bacteria that normally produce trimethylamine in the digestive system.
Some cases have been identified disorder in adults with liver disease or kidney. have been reported temporary symptoms of this condition in a small number of premature babies and in some healthy women at the start of menstruation.
IMPORTANT Facts about Fishy Odor Syndrome (Trimethylaminuria)
- The fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) is a genetic disease; symptoms are often present from birth.
- the syndrome of fish smell is characterized by an unpleasant body odor and smell of rotten fish due to the excessive excretion of trimethylaminuria (TMA). In the urine, sweat and breath of affected people.
- Fish odor syndrome is caused by mutations in the FMO3 gene.
- Other causes of body odor can occur as a result of too much protein in the diet. As well as from a increase in bacteria that normally produce trimethylamine in the GI tract (can also worsen fish odor syndrome); liver disease, kidney disease, poor hygiene, gingivitis, and cases of blood-borne halitosis. The diagnostic tests that help differentiate fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) of other causes of body odor are available in specialized laboratories.
- The symptoms of fish odor syndrome have been observed temporarily in a small number of premature infants and in healthy women at the onset of menstruation, usually in individuals who are heterozygous for the mutant FMO3 gene or due to immaturity from defective expression of the FMO3 gene.
- Treatment of fish odor syndrome includes certain dietary restrictionsthe use of lotions and acid soaps to eliminate the trimethylamine secreted from the skin, the use of activated charcoal and copper chlorophyllin, certain antibiotics, laxatives, and riboflavin supplements.
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