BACKGROUND: Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of glycogen 
metabolism that is characterized by a deficiency of the lysosomal acid 
alpha-glucosidase. Enzyme replacement therapy for the infantile and juvenile 
forms of Pompe disease currently is undergoing clinical trials. Early diagnosis 
before the onset of irreversible pathology is thought to be critical for maximum 
efficacy of current and proposed therapies. In the absence of a family history, 
the presymptomatic detection of these disorders ideally can be achieved through 
a newborn-screening program. Currently, the clinical diagnosis of Pompe disease 
is confirmed by the virtual absence, in infantile onset, or a marked reduction, 
in juvenile and adult onset, of acid alpha-glucosidase activity in muscle 
biopsies and cultured fibroblasts. These assays are invasive and not suited to 
large-scale screening.
METHODS: A sensitive immune-capture enzyme activity assay for the measurement of 
acid alpha-glucosidase protein was developed and used to determine the activity 
of this enzyme in dried-blood spots from newborn and adult controls, 
Pompe-affected individuals, and obligate heterozygotes.
RESULTS: Pompe-affected individuals showed an almost total absence of acid 
alpha-glucosidase activity in blood spots. The assay showed a sensitivity and 
specificity of 100% for the identification of Pompe-affected individuals.
CONCLUSIONS: The determination of acid alpha-glucosidase activity in dried-blood 
spots is a useful, noninvasive diagnostic assay for the identification of Pompe 
disease. With further validation, this procedure could be adapted for use with 
blood spots collected in newborn-screening programs.