5^th Rare Disease South Eastern Europe (SEE) Meeting, Skopje, Macedonia (November 15^th, 2016)

The fifth SEE meeting on rare diseases (RDs) was held in Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MASA) the November 11^th, 2016. Several lectures dealt with mucopolysaccharidosis, glycogen storage diseases and the possibilities for their diagnosis and treatment. Enzyme replacement treatment (ERT), its availability, effects (or the lack of it) on the brain, and further prospects of eventual gene treatment were comprehensively exposed and discussed. Special accent was on Gaucher, Morquio IVA, Hunter and the audience was given new knowledge on the complexities of diagnosis and treatment. A block of lectures on rare renal diseases was also impressive. From renal stones, their molecular and genetic mechanisms to different forms of CAKUT the use of NGS and other molecular methods in diagnosis of RDs. Mitochondrial diseases, the novelties and importance of early discovery were comprehensively exposed. Special lecture was given on the complement system. Endocrine disruptors, microprolactinomas were also the topic of the meeting. A rather reach session of posters was also presented.