Microvillous inclusion disease

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
| Microvillous inclusion disease | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Microvillus inclusion disease, Davidson's disease |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Severe chronic diarrhea, dehydration, malnutrition |
| Complications | N/A |
| Onset | Neonatal period |
| Duration | Lifelong |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Mutations in the MYO5B gene |
| Risks | Consanguinity |
| Diagnosis | Electron microscopy of intestinal biopsy, genetic testing |
| Differential diagnosis | Congenital chloride diarrhea, congenital sodium diarrhea, tufting enteropathy |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Total parenteral nutrition, intestinal transplantation |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Poor without treatment |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Deaths | N/A |
Microvillous inclusion disease (MVID) is a rare congenital disorder that affects the intestines, leading to severe, chronic diarrhea and malabsorption. It is also known as congenital microvillus atrophy. The disease is typically diagnosed in infancy and can be life-threatening if not managed properly.
Pathophysiology[edit]
MVID is characterized by the presence of microvillus inclusions within the epithelial cells of the small intestine. These inclusions are abnormal structures that result from the improper formation and function of microvilli, which are tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of epithelial cells that increase the surface area for absorption. The defective microvilli lead to impaired nutrient absorption and chronic diarrhea.
Genetics[edit]
The disease is usually inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Mutations in the MYO5B gene, which encodes the protein myosin Vb, are commonly associated with MVID. This protein is crucial for the proper trafficking of vesicles within cells, and its dysfunction leads to the formation of microvillus inclusions.
Clinical Presentation[edit]
Infants with MVID typically present with severe, watery diarrhea shortly after birth. Other symptoms may include:
- Failure to thrive
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Malnutrition
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of MVID is based on clinical presentation, histological examination of intestinal biopsies, and genetic testing. The presence of microvillus inclusions in enterocytes observed under an electron microscope is a key diagnostic feature.
Treatment[edit]
There is no cure for MVID, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and complications. This may include:
- Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to provide essential nutrients intravenously
- Management of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
- Potential small bowel transplantation in severe cases
Prognosis[edit]
The prognosis for individuals with MVID varies. With appropriate management, some patients can achieve a relatively stable condition, but the disease can be life-threatening, especially in cases where complications arise or treatment is not adequately managed.
See also[edit]
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
External Links[edit]
-
This congenital disorder related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Ad. Transform your health with W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa

Tired of being overweight?
Get started with evidence based, physician-supervised
affordable GLP-1 weight loss injections
Now available in New York City and Philadelphia:
- Semaglutide starting from $59.99/week and up
- Tirzepatide starting from $69.99/week and up (dose dependent)
✔ Evidence-based medical weight loss ✔ Insurance-friendly visits available ✔ Same-week appointments, evenings & weekends
Learn more:
Start your transformation today with W8MD weight loss centers.
|
WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
