Hepatic veno-occlusive disease with immunodeficiency (also called VODI) is a hereditary disorder of the liver and immune system. Its signs and symptoms appear after the first few months of life.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease is a condition that blocks (occludes) small veins in the liver, disrupting blood flow in this organ. This condition can lead to enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly), a buildup of scar tissue (hepatic fibrosis), and liver failure.

Children with VODI are prone to recurrent infections caused by certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The organisms that cause infection in people with this disorder are described as opportunistic because they ordinarily do not cause illness in healthy people. These infections are usually serious and may be life-threatening. In most people with VODI, infections occur before hepatic veno-occlusive disease becomes evident.

Many people with VODI live only into childhood, although some affected individuals have lived to early adulthood.

VODI appears to be a rare disorder; approximately 20 affected families have been reported worldwide. Most people diagnosed with the condition have been of Lebanese ancestry. However, the disorder has also been identified in several individuals with other backgrounds in the United States and Italy.

VODI results from mutations in the SP110 gene. This gene provides instructions for making a protein called SP110 nuclear body protein, which is involved in the normal function of the immune system. This protein likely helps regulate the activity of genes needed for the body's immune response to foreign invaders (such as viruses and bacteria).

Mutations in the SP110 gene prevent cells from making functional SP110 nuclear body protein, which impairs the immune system's ability to fight off infections. It is unclear how a lack of this protein affects blood flow in the liver.

Genetic Testing Information

• Genetic Testing Registry: Hepatic veno-occlusive disease-immunodeficiency syndrome

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

• Hepatic veno-occlusive disease-immunodeficiency syndrome

Patient Support and Advocacy Resources

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

• HEPATIC VENOOCCLUSIVE DISEASE WITH IMMUNODEFICIENCY; VODI

Scientific Articles on PubMed

• PubMed

• Cliffe ST, Wong M, Taylor PJ, Ruga E, Wilcken B, Lindeman R, Buckley MF, Roscioli T. The first prenatal diagnosis for veno-occlusive disease and immunodeficiency syndrome, an autosomal recessive condition associated with mutations in SP110. Prenat Diagn. 2007 Jul;27(7):674-6. doi: 10.1002/pd.1759. Citation on PubMed
• Roscioli T, Cliffe ST, Bloch DB, Bell CG, Mullan G, Taylor PJ, Sarris M, Wang J, Donald JA, Kirk EP, Ziegler JB, Salzer U, McDonald GB, Wong M, Lindeman R, Buckley MF. Mutations in the gene encoding the PML nuclear body protein Sp110 are associated with immunodeficiency and hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Nat Genet. 2006 Jun;38(6):620-2. doi: 10.1038/ng1780. Epub 2006 Apr 30. Citation on PubMed
• Roscioli T, Ziegler JB, Buckley M, Wong M. Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease with Immunodeficiency. 2007 Feb 21 [updated 2017 Jan 12]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1271/ Citation on PubMed