Angelman syndrome without detectable chromosome 15q11–13 anomaly: Clinical study of familial and isolated cases

The clinical findings in 12 Angelman syndrome (AS) patients (4 sib pairs and 4 sporadic cases, aged 12–55 years) without a cytogenetic or molecular detectable defect at the AS locus were compared to those of 28 AS patients (aged 11–50 years) with a deletion, in order to determine whether the clinical spectrum differed between the two groups. There were only two minor differences, i.e., mandibular prognathism was always found in the patients with a defect (100% vs. 58%), whereas truncal hypotonia was found less frequently in the group with a detectable genetic defect (54% vs. 91%). All other clinical and physical characteristics were equally represented in the two groups. Epileptic seizures occurred in 93% and 75%, respectively, of patients with and without a detectable chromosome 15 defect. Specific EEG patterns were found in 90% of both groups. The clinical signs and symptoms of our patients closely resemble those in familial AS cases reported in the literature, with the exception of scoliosis, which was present in 55% of the patients in our study. We conclude that the absence of a detectable cytogenetic or molecular defect at the AS locus is not associated with a strikingly different AS phenotype, compared to those with such a defect. Mutation analysis of the UBE3A gene in our patients without a detectable genetic defect, especially in the familial cases, is currently underway. Am. J. Med. Genet. 76:262–268, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Scalene muscles and the brachial plexus: Anatomical variations and their clinical significance

Anatomical variations may be clinically significant, but many are inadequately described or quantified. Variations in neck anatomy are important to surgeons performing surgical procedures in this region. Thirty-two female and 19 male adult cadavers were studied. The commonly described anatomical relationship of the brachial plexus (BP) lying between the anterior scalene (AS) and middle scalene (MS) muscles was found in only 60%; of instances. Scalenus minimus was present in 46%; of instances (bilateral in 14 cadavers). The most common variation was the penetration of the AS by the C5 and/or C6 ventral rami. The C5 and C6 roots may fuse before piercing AS (15%; cases, bilateral in 4 cadavers), or the C5 root alone pierce the belly of AS (13%; cases, bilateral in 3 cadavers). The roots also may pierce AS independently (6%; cases, bilateral in 1 cadaver). In 3%;, the C5 root was found to be completely anterior to AS. Clin. Anat. 10:250–252, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Apparent genotype–phenotype correlation in childhood,adolescent, and adult Chediak‐Higashi syndrome

Chediak‐Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe immunologic defects, reduced pigmentation, bleeding tendency, and progressive neurological dysfunction. Most patients present in early childhood and die unless treated by bone marrow transplantation. About 10–15% of patients exhibit a much milder clinical phenotype and survive to adulthood, but develop progressive and often fatal neurological dysfunction. Very rare patients exhibit an intermediate adolescent CHS phenotype, presenting with severe infections in early childhood, but a milder course by adolescence, with no accelerated phase. Here, we describe the organization and genomic DNA sequence of the CHS1 gene and mutation analysis of 21 unrelated patients with the childhood, adolescent, and adult forms of CHS. In patients with severe childhood CHS, we found only functionally null mutant CHS1 alleles, whereas in patients with the adolescent and adult forms of CHS we also found missense mutant alleles that likely encode CHS1 polypeptides with partial function. Together, these results suggest an allelic genotype–phenotype relationship among the various clinical forms of CHS. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

低分子量多肽2 基因多态性与强直性脊椎炎表型的关系

目的研究低分子量多肽（ｌｏｗｍｏｌｅｃｕｌａｒｗｅｉｇｈｔｐｅｐｔｉｄｅ,ＬＭＰ）基因多态性与强直性脊椎炎（ａｎｋｙｌｏｓｉｎｇｓｐｏｎｄｙｌｉｔｉｓ,ＡＳ）表型的关系。方法收集各种类型ＡＳ和单纯虹膜炎（Ａｃｕｔｅａｎｔｅｒｉｏｒｕｖｅｉｔｉｓ,ＡＡＵ）血标本１１８例。应用聚合酶链反应技术对正常人和患者进行ＨＬＡ－Ｂ２７检测以及ＬＭＰ２和ＬＭＰ７扩增,以ＣｆｏⅠ进行限制性酶切图谱分析。结果ＡＳ有ＡＡＵ病史患者ＬＭＰ２基因ＢＢ型频率较正常人以及ＡＳ患者明显增高（Ｐ＜０．０５）,ＯＲ为３．７１。少年型ＡＳ与成年型ＡＳ以及单纯中心型ＡＳ与伴有外周关节炎（ｐｅｒｉｐｈｅｒａｌａｒｔｈｒｉｔｉｓ,ＰＡ）的ＡＳ之间ＬＭＰ２基因型没有明显差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。ＰＡ＋／ＡＡＵ＋与ＰＡ＋／ＡＡＵ－患者间存在显著差异（Ｐ＜０．０５）,ＯＲ值为４．６３６。ＡＡＵ患者与正常人存在显著差异（Ｐ＜０．０５）,ＯＲ值为５．８３。ＬＭＰ７基因多态性无明显差异。结论ＬＭＰ２基因多态性与有ＡＡＵ病史的ＡＳ以及单纯ＡＡＵ发病存在明显相关,而与ＡＳ发病年龄以及关节类型没有明显关系。     

In patients with antisynthetase syndrome the occurrence of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies causes a more severe interstitial lung disease

We studied the clinical features and autoantibody profile in 21 patients with antisynthetase syndrome (AS) comparing to 48 patients with classical polymyositis and dermatomyositis without AS. At presentation, the AS group showed more frequently the presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD), arthritis/arthralgia, mechanic's hand and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. Patients without AS had more frequent proximal weakness and cutaneous erythematosus rash. Interestingly, the AS patients with associated anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies seem to be predisposed to the development of a more severe ILD, expressed as HRCT total score ≥ 7. During a follow up of about 3 years (range 6–110 months), the presence of anti-Jo-1 antibody alone or in association with anti-Ro/SSA did not influence survival or a more severe prognosis of ILD.     

Association of IL-1 gene complex members with ankylosing spondylitis in Chinese Han population

There are reports of IL-1 complex gene polymorphisms in ankylosing spondylitis (AS; MIM 106300), but the results have been inconsistent among populations. Moreover, few studies examine the association between IL-1 complex gene polymorphisms and clinical symptoms of AS patients. We investigated polymorphisms of IL-1 complex with AS in the Chinese Han population in this study. Chinese Han AS patients and ethnically matched healthy controls were genotyped for five single nucleotide polymorphisms (IL1β+3953, β-511, F10.3, RN.4, RN.6/1) and the IL1RN.VNTR of IL-1 gene cluster. Allele, Genotype and haplotype frequencies were compared between cases and controls by SHEsis software. The frequency of allele C of the marker IL1F10.3 was significantly increased in AS patients versus controls [p = 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19–1.20; p = 0.002, respectively]. Strong linkage disequilibrium was identified between IL1B-511, IL1B+3953 and RN4 in both patients and healthy controls (D′ > 0.95). Haplotypes of pairs of these markers (6) were also significantly associated with AS. The strongest associations observed was between allele combination B-511-T/B+3953-C/F10.3-C/RN4-T/RN2VNTR-1/RN6.1-C and AS (p = 3.32 × 10⁻⁵, OR = 4.41, 95% CI=2.1–9.3). Clinical manifestation showed week association between RN2VNTR A2 allele and risk of peripheral arthritis (OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.07–0.91). The IL-1 gene cluster is associated with AS in Chinese population. This finding provides strong statistical support for the previously observed relationship and indicates possible association between clinical manifestation and genetic factor.     

HLA antigens, psoriasis and acute anterior uveitis in Bechterew's syndrome (ankylosing spondylitis)

One hundred and twenty-two consecutively hospitalized patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were reexamined. Ninety-two per cent were HLA B27 positive. Of the HLA B27 negative patients, 60% were found to have psoriasis, as opposed to 11 % of the HLA B27 positive patients. Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) was found only in HLA B27 positive patients, and more frequently in males than in females. The genetic and clinical heterogeneity of AS, together with the overlapping clinical criteria for AS and psoriatic spondylitis, may make the term "Bechterew's syndrome" preferable. Based on these findings and previous reports, we conclude that (i) AAU is a manifestation of Bechterew's syndrome in HLA B27 positive patients, (ii) HLA B27 negative patients without any obvious accompanying manifestations may suffer from psoriatic spondylitis, and (iii) genetic predisposition to psoriasis in persons who are HLA B13, B17 and B37 negative, may interact with the genetic predisposition to Bechterew's syndrome in HLA B27 positive persons and produce Bechterew's syndrome with psoriasis or psoriasis-like skin eruptions.     

Mediterranean spotted fever in north Dalmatia: is there a problem?

We analyzed clinical and therapeutic characteristics of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) in north Dalmatia. Analysis was conducted in 93 patients hospitalized with MSF at Zadar General Hospital during the 1988-2000 period. The most frequently found signs of the disease were high fever (91; 97.8%), maculopapular rash (89; 95.7%), headaches (84; 90.3%), arthralgia (75; 80.6%), exhaustion (75; 80.6%) and nausea (65; 69.9%). Tache noire, as a pathognomonic sign of MSF, was found in 22 (23.7%) patients. The most frequently indicated diagnoses were febris cum exanthemate (43; 46.2), rickettsiosis suspecta (21; 22.6%) and exanthema maculopapulosum (15; 16.1%). Early therapeutic efficiency was achieved by doxycycline in 34/43 (79.1%), and by ciprofloxacin in 10/14 (71.4%) treated adult patients, and by azithromycin in 7/9 (77.8%) children. The identification of MSF endemic rickettsiosis in north Dalmatia, serious clinical forms of the disease and the success of early and adequate anti-rickettsial antibiotic therapy are a clear warning that our physicians must be very familiar with this disease and include this rickettsial disease in differential diagnosis of acute febrile diseases accompanied by rash.     

Manifestations in institutionalised adults with Angelman syndrome due to deletion

Undiagnosed institutionalised patients were reviewed in an attempt to identify those with Angelman syndrome (AS). The aim was to test these patients for deletion of chromosome 15(q11–13) and to describe the adult phenotype. The selection criteria included severe intellectual disability, ataxic or hypermotoric limb movements, lack of speech, a “happy” demeanour, epilepsy, and facial appearance consistent with the diagnosis. Patients were examined, medical records perused, and patients' doctors contacted as required. Genetic tests performed included routine cytogenetics, DNA methylation analysis (with probe PW71B), and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (with probes D15S10, GABRβ3, or SNRPN). A deletion in the AS region was detected in 11 patients (9 males and 2 females) of 22 tested. The mean age at last review (March 1996) was 31.5 years (range 24 to 36 years). Clinical assessment documented findings of large mouth and jaw with deep set eyes, and microcephaly in nine patients (two having a large head size for height). No patient was hypopigmented; 1/11 patients was fair. Outbursts of laughter occurred in all patients but infrequently in 7/11 (64%) and a constant happy demeanour was present in 5/11 (46%). All had epilepsy, with improvement in 5/11 (46%), no change in 4 (36%), and deterioration in 2 (18%). The EEG was abnormal in 10/10 patients. Ocular abnormalities were reported in 3/8 patients (37.5%) and 4/11 (36%) had developed kyphosis. Two had never walked. All nine who walked were ataxic with an awkward, clumsy, heavy, and/or lilting gait. No patient had a single word of speech but one patient could use sign language for two needs (food and drink). Our data support the concept that AS resulting from deletion is a severe neurological syndrome in adulthood. The diagnosis in adults may not be straightforward as some manifestations change with age. Kyphosis and keratoconus are two problems of older patients. Am. J. Med. Genet. 70:415–420, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Apparent genotype-phenotype correlation in childhood, adolescent, and adult Chediak-Higashi syndrome

Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe immunologic defects, reduced pigmentation, bleeding tendency, and progressive neurological dysfunction. Most patients present in early childhood and die unless treated by bone marrow transplantation. About 10-15% of patients exhibit a much milder clinical phenotype and survive to adulthood, but develop progressive and often fatal neurological dysfunction. Very rare patients exhibit an intermediate adolescent CHS phenotype, presenting with severe infections in early childhood, but a milder course by adolescence, with no accelerated phase. Here, we describe the organization and genomic DNA sequence of the CHS1 gene and mutation analysis of 21 unrelated patients with the childhood, adolescent, and adult forms of CHS. In patients with severe childhood CHS, we found only functionally null mutant CHS1 alleles, whereas in patients with the adolescent and adult forms of CHS we also found missense mutant alleles that likely encode CHS1 polypeptides with partial function. Together, these results suggest an allelic genotype-phenotype relationship among the various clinical forms of CHS.     

Aberrant phenotypes in childhood and adult acute leukemia and its association with adverse prognostic factors and clinical outcome

Occurrence of aberrant phenotypes in childhood and adult acute leukemia (AL) differs considerably in independent studies and their association with prognostic factors is still controversial. In the present study, 214 patients with AL (106 children and 108 adults) were evaluated for the aberrant expression of CD33 in ALL (B cell and T cell) and CD3, CD5, CD7, and CD19 in AML. In B-ALL, aberrant expression of CD33 was found in 39 and 23% cases of adult and children, respectively. In T-ALL, CD33 was seen in 33% cases of adults while in children CD33 was not observed. In AML, aberrant expression of CD19 was expressed in 52 and 32% while CD7 was expressed in 14 and 15% cases of childhood and adult AML, respectively. Among FAB subtypes, aberrant expression of CD19 and CD7 was more commonly seen in M5 subtype. One adult patient (AML-M5) showed expression of CD3, CD5, and CD19. In summary, aberrant phenotype was commonly seen in adults than childhood B-ALL while in AML, aberrant phenotype was more common in children than adults. CD19 was most commonly expressed antigen followed by CD7 in both childhood and adult AML. Interestingly, aberrant phenotype was not found in childhood T-ALL; however, it was seen in 33% cases of adults. We did not find any association of aberrant phenotype with adverse prognosis factors, CD34 marker, and clinical outcome except the absence of auer rod which was found to be significantly associated with aberrant phenotype of childhood AML (P = 0.01).     

强直性脊柱炎合并类风湿关节炎患者的临床及实验室特征分析

目的 探讨强直性脊柱炎(AS)合并类风湿关节炎(RA)患者的临床及实验室特征,并与单纯AS及单纯RA患者进行比较,了解AS合并RA(AS-RA)患者的临床及血清学特点.方法 入选AS患者208例,RA患者372例,将其中既符合AS诊断标准又符合RA诊断标准者作为研究对象,并与单纯AS(65例)和单纯RA(83例)比较其特点.结果 在208例AS患者和372例RA患者中有15例既符合AS诊断标准,也符合RA诊断标准,发生频率为AS 7.21%(15/208),RA 4.03%(15/372).与单纯RA及单纯AS比较,AS-RA患者病情炎性活动指标高,骨质破坏重,RF阳性率60.0%(9/15),HLA-B27抗原阳性率为66.7%(10/15),二者同时阳性率为53.3%(8/15),明显不同于RF在单纯RA阳性率(78.2%)和HLA-B27在单纯AS阳性率(92.2%).结论 AS-RA在临床并不少见,具有与单纯AS及单纯RA不同的临床及实验室特征.     

Neurodevelopmental and other psychiatric disorders in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome from childhood to adult age: Prospective longitudinal study of 100 individuals

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS), affects physical as well as cognitive and emotional functioning with increased risk for psychiatric and behavioral problems. This longitudinal study of 79 individuals (18–50 years) with 22q11.2DS investigated neurodevelopmental (NDD) and psychiatric disorders in adulthood, evaluated the stability of childhood diagnoses over time, and examined associations between clinical characteristics in childhood/adolescence and diagnostic outcome in adult age. Examination using validated instruments for cognitive, psychiatric, and global functional problems in the context of an in-depth clinical evaluation found adult age stability of NDD diagnoses made in childhood, however, rates increased at follow-up. Rates of anxiety, mood, and psychotic disorders were high, with a majority meeting diagnostic criteria for one or more psychiatric disorder. The rate of psychotic disorders was much lower compared to many other studies. Variability in functioning at follow-up was primarily associated with intellectual ability at T1. The findings obtained highlight the increased risk of NDD and psychiatric problems and of cognitive impairment and reduced levels of global functioning over time. Results emphasize the importance of clinical follow-up to enable appropriate support for the promotion of optimal health along with a need for future research on effective interventions and treatment strategies.     

Genetic evaluation of patients with Alström syndrome in the Polish population

Alström syndrome (AS) is a rare syndromic form of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in children coexisting with retinal dystrophy and disorders of many organs caused by the mutations in ALMS1 gene. Aim of this study was to identify the causative mutations in ALMS1 in a group of 12 patients of Polish origin with clinical symptoms of AS, and their 21 first‐degree relatives. Using DNA sequencing, nine different mutations including three novel were identified. These mutations were not present in 212 Polish individuals with no symptoms of AS, subjected to whole‐exome sequencing and collected in a national registry. Looking for genotype–phenotype relationships, we confirmed a severe phenotype in a boy with homozygous mutation in exon 16, and a relationship between a presence of T2D and mutations in exon 19. Evaluation of the type of mutation and its clinical effects gives hope for earlier diagnosis of AS in future patients and more advanced therapeutic approaches for patients with already diagnosed AS.     

Ultrasonographic evaluation of enthesitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

The aim of this study was to assess sensitivity and responsiveness of power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) in detecting enthesitis for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients compared to clinical examinations. Twenty AS patients initiating etanerceptunderwent clinical and PDUS examinations of six bilateral entheseal sites at baseline and after 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment. Clinical and PDUS examinations identified at least one entheseal lesion in nine (45%) and 19 (95%) patients, respectively. Furthermore, of 240 entheseal sites examined in these 20 patients, PDUS detected 123 entheseal lesions (51.3% of sites), compared with only 47 entheseal lesions (19.6%) detected by clinical examination (P < 0.05). The entheseal lesions found on PDUS were most commonly identified by calcification (33.3%), tendon edema (29.2%), abnormal blood flow (25.8%), a thickened tendon (22.1%), cortical irregularity (12.9%), bony erosions (9.6%) and bursitis at the tendon insertion to the bone cortex (7.1%). Improvements in clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters, and significant decreases in PDUS scores were observed following treatment with etanercept. Improvements in PDUS scores continued during follow-up in patients who entered remission following treatment. In conclusion, PDUS improve detection of structural and inflammatory abnormalities of the enthesis in AS compared to physical examination. In addition, PDUS may be useful inascertaining medications.     

Safety and clinical responses in ankylosing spondylitis after three months of etanercept therapy

We aimed to evaluate the safety and clinical responses in Korean ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients after three months of etanercept therapy. AS patients satisfying the Modified New York Criteria were enrolled. They were assessed for safety and clinical responses at enrollment and after three months of etanercept therapy. A total of 124 patients completed the study. After three months, the rate of ASsessment in AS International Working Group 20% improvement (ASAS 20) response was 79.8%. The rates of ASAS 40 and ASAS 5/6 responses were 58.5 and 62.8%, respectively. Significant improvement of Korean version of Bath AS Disease Activity Index (KBASDAI) (p<0.0001), Bath AS Functional Activity Index (BASFI) (p<0.0001), and Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI) (p=0.0009) were achieved after three months. Quality of life was also significantly improved after three months, as demonstrated by scores for SF-36 (p<0.0001) and EQ-5D (p<0.0001). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were significantly decreased (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively). None of the patients developed tuberculosis and there were no serious adverse event. AS patients with inadequate response to conventional therapy showed significant clinical improvement without serious adverse events after three months of etanercept therapy.     

The incidence of adrenal and other antibodies in the sera of patients with idiopathic adrenal insufficiency (Addison''s disease)

The histories of 118 (sixty-one males, fifty-seven females) with idiopathic Addison's disease were reviewed and their sera tested for adrenal, thyroid, gastric and parathyroid antibodies. Adrenal antibodies were found in approximately 50% of patients with idiopathic Addison's disease. The majority of these patients, particularly the females, had an associated diagnosed disease. Studies of antibodies to various tissues is of assistance in detecting the frequent sub-clinical occurrence of other diseases in idiopathic Addison's disease. The onset of idiopathic Addison's disease in sixty-four of the group was during adult life, in forty-seven during childhood, and in seven was not known. In fifty-one the diagnosis of an associated disease had been made (hypoparathyroidism, eighteen; pernicious anaemia, seven; moniliasis, seven; diabetes, ten; cirrhosis, two; alopecia, three; thyroid disease, thirty). A further twenty-four patients had antibodies to gastric, thryoid or parathyroid tissue. The finding of an associated disease, or antibody other than adrenal, was greatest in adult females (thirty-three of thirty-nine), frequent in female children (thirteen of seventeen), less common in adult males (eleven of twenty-five) and least in male children (thirteen of thirty). Only forty-three of the group had no evidence of an associated disease. Adrenal antibodies were found in fifty-seven of the 118 patients studied, occurring most frequently in females with a diagnosed associated disease (twenty-three of thirty), and least commonly in males without an associated disease (seven of forty).     

Precise variant interpretation,phenotype ascertainment,and genotype–phenotype correlation of children in the EARLY PRO‐TECT Alport trial

Early initiation of therapy in patients with Alport syndrome (AS) slows down renal failure by many years. Genotype–phenotype correlations propose that the location and character of the individual's variant correlate with the renal outcome and any extra renal manifestations. In‐depth clinical and genetic data of 60/62 children who participated in the EARLY PRO‐TECT Alport trial were analyzed. Genetic variants were interpreted according to current guidelines and criteria. Genetically solved patients with X‐linked inheritance were then classified according to the severity of their COL4A5 variant into less‐severe, intermediate, and severe groups and disease progress was compared. Almost 90% of patients were found to carry (likely) pathogenic variants and classified as genetically solved cases. Patients in the less‐severe group demonstrated a borderline significant difference in disease progress compared to those in the severe group (p = 0.05). While having only limited power according to its sample size, an obvious strength is the precise clinical and genetic data of this well ascertained cohort. As in published data differences in clinical progress were shown between patients with COL4A5 less‐severe and severe variants. Therefore, clinical and segregational data are important for variant (re)classification. Genetic testing should be mandatory allowing early diagnosis and therapy of AS.     

Childhood macrophage activation syndrome differs from infection-associated hemophagocytosis syndrome in etiology and outcome in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a syndrome composed of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), infection-associated hemophagocytosis syndrome (IAHS), malignancy-associated HLH and genetic HLH. Differentiation of MAS from IAHS and other HLH is important for early appropriate treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was used to differentiate childhood MAS from IAHS and other HLH in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH), Kaohsiung. All relevant clinical features, laboratory data, treatments and outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with childhood HLH were found at CGMH, Kaohsiung in the past decade, and could be classified into 3 categories: IAHS (9 patients), MAS (5 patients), and HLH of unknown etiology (3 patients). The diagnosis of MAS first appeared in this hospital in 2001. Patients with IAHS tended to be younger than those with MAS. Boys were more frequently found in the IAHS group whereas girls (with systemic lupus erythematosus or juvenile idiopathic arthritis) were more frequently found in the MAS group. The majority of mortality cases were noted in the IAHS group (44%, 4/9). All patients with MAS survived with early cyclosporine A treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood MAS is different from IAHS in terms of age, gender, etiology and mortality. Early administration of cyclosporine A for MAS results in a lower mortality. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.