Mucopolysaccharidosis is an autosomal recessively inherited storage disease, characterized by a clinical picture of dwarfism, grotesque facies, hepatosplenomegaly, joint contractures, corneal clouding, mental retardation, vascular and endocardial disease, and early death. Excess amounts of acid mucopolysaccharide accumulate in affected organs, and are excreted in the urine of patients with the disease. A 14 yearold boy who had been suffering from mucopolysaccharidosis with gingival hypertrophy, was observed. Acid mucopolysaccharides were isolated from his gingiva and urine, then investigated by chemical analysis and electrophoresis on cellulose acetate strips. The results of this experiment suggested that there may be some relation between periodontal disease and mucopolysaccharidosis.
