DOI: 10.12890/2025_005520

Trimethylaminuria in a 58-year-old male with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis C

Authors

  • Martina Knapp Praxis 54, Primary Care Clinic, Pfaeffikon, Switzerland

martina.knapp@me.com

Keywords

Trimethylaminuria, fish odor syndrome, secondary TMAU, TMAO, carnitine supplements

Abstract

Trimethylaminuria (TMAU), also known as fish odor syndrome, is a rare metabolic disorder resulting from a deficiency in the enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase 3, which is responsible for the detoxification of trimethylamine produced during the metabolism of certain foods. This case report describes a 58-year-old male who presented with a sudden onset of fish-like body odor, diagnosed with secondary TMAU likely triggered by liver cirrhosis and dietary supplements. The report outlines the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and management strategies for this rare condition.

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References

  1. Cashman JR, Zhang J, Leushner J, Braun W, Thummel KE, et al. Biochemical and clinical aspects of the human flavin-containing monooxygenase form 3 (FMO3) related to trimethylaminuria. Curr Drug Metab 2003;4:151-170. doi:10.2174/1389200033489505
  2. Fraser-Andrews EA, Manning NJ, Ashton GHS, Eldridge P, McGrath J, Menagé HdP. Fish odour syndrome with features of both primary and secondary trimethylaminuria. Clin Exp Dermatol 2003 ;28:203-5. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2230.2003.01230.x
  3. Mohan V. K, George M. A Review of The Contribution of Gut-Dependent Microbiota Derived Marker, Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), in Coronary Artery Disease. Curr Res Nutr Food Sci 2021;9. doi:10.12944/CRNFSJ.9.3.01
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Published

2025-06-13

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 7 (2025)

Categories

How to Cite

1.
Knapp M. Trimethylaminuria in a 58-year-old male with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis C. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 13 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];12(7). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/5520