Acatalasemia, also known as acatalasia, is an autosomal recessive peroxisomal disorder caused by deficiency of erythrocyte catalase that metabolizes both hydrogen peroxide and a variety of substrates such as ethanol, methanol, phenol and nitrites. Catalase has an important protective function against the toxic effects of peroxides generated in peroxisomes and removes them with high efficiency. The Japanese, Swiss, and Hungarian types of acatalasemia display differences in biochemical and genetic aspects. Takahara's disease shows progressive oral gangrene and formerly occurred in about half of Japanese acatalasemia patients.
