Benign Reversible Muscle Cytochrome C Oxidase Deficiency: a Second Case

A 6-week-old boy had generalized weakness, requiring assisted ventilation, and lactic acidosis. At 6 months, the lactic acidosis resolved, and the patient started to improve; assisted ventilation was discontinued at 15 months. Muscle biopsies at 4 and 11 months showed accumulation of mitochondria, lipid, and glycogen; cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity was 11% of the lowest control in the first biopsy and 57% in the second. Immunocytochemistry and immunotitration showed presence of immunologically reactive enzyme protein in both biopsies. This case confirms a previous report of benign infantile myopathy due to reversible COX deficiency. The severe fibrosis in the second biopsy may explain the slower rate of clinical recovery in this child.