Mild Cystic Fibrosis. A Case Report

Context Cystic fibrosis is the most common autosomal recessive genetic disease in Caucasian population. Extending knowledge about the molecular pathology on the one hand allows better delineation of the mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene and the other to dramatically increase the predictive power of molecular testing. Case report This study wants to underline that the identification of individuals with atypical cystic fibrosis can sometimes present particular difficulties of interpretation. Conclusion On that ground, if there is a strong clinical suspicion, it is always advisable the biochemical study by performing the sweat test, followed by sequencing of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene.Image: Madonna delle Grazie Hospital. Matera, Italy

Study of a Family Presenting Novel Mutation of the TCOF1 Gene Associated with Treacher Collins Syndrome

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS), due to a mutation in the treacle gene (5q31-32), is the most common type of Mandibulofacial Dysostosis (MDF). The most important features of the considered diseases are hypoplasia, micrognathia, microtia, conductive hearing loss, and cleft palate. In this paper molecular and clinical analysis in a family with several members affected by MFD are reported. Clinical signs as well as inheriting pattern have been considered to reach a correct diagnosis. As genealogic tree showed Autosomic Dominant pattern (AD), Autosomic recessive diseases were not considered in different diagnosis. Furthermore, pathognomonic signs drew us to focus the attention on the possibility that Treacher Collins Syndrome occurred.The molecular research of gene TCOF1 confirmed the presence of a mutation that have never been described in literature before now (c.599delG.). MFD occurs in clinical and genetic different typologies of diseases, and in most cases a certain diagnosis can be reached by means of molecular genetics analysis

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome with 22q11.21 microduplication: a case report

Background Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man [OMIM] #277000) is a congenital condition characterized by the total or partial agenesis of vagina and uterus. Agenesis can be isolated (MRKH 1) or associated with other renal, vertebral or cardiac defects (MRKH 2). Case presentation In this paper, we report a case of a Caucasian patient showing the clinical signs associated with MRKH. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) analysis revealed a microduplication of approximately 3.01 megabases (Mb) located on the long arm of chromosome 22 (22q11.21). Microduplications affecting the 22q11.21 region have been shown to be associated with MRKH syndrome and Mullerian aplasia. The phenotype of patients with 22q11.2 duplication (OMIM #608363) appears extremely variable, ranging from apparently normal to mild learning difficulties or with multiple defects, sharing features with DiGeorge/velocardiofacial (DGS/VCFS) syndrome. Conclusions The altered gene expression together with other genetic, nongenetic, epigenetic or environmental factors can cause the extremely variable phenotype in patients carrying such duplication. Therefore, we can consider MRKH syndrome to be one of the clinical features of DGS/VCFS syndrome

Identification of patients with defects in the globin genes

Hemoglobinopathies constitute a major health problem worldwide. These disorders are characterized by a clinical and hematological phenotypic heterogeneity. The increase of HbA2 is an invaluable hematological marker of the beta-thalassemia heterozygosis and of double heterozygosis for the alleles of delta and alpha globin genes or for the alleles of delta and beta globin genes which can cause the increase of HbA2 up to normal or borderline values. Case Report: we report the case of a 30-year-old woman (first pregnant) who was admitted to our Unit at 12 weeks for a screening for thalassemia. The outcomes of the biochemical and haematological exams (MCV, MCH, HbA2, HbF) highlighted that the patient was a carrier of a beta-thalassemic trait. Molecular analysis of the beta globin genes highlighted a β0 39C>T heterozygous mutation. Biochemical and hematological parameters of the husband (MCV, MCH, HbA2, HbF) were normal except for the level of HbA2(3,6%). The molecular analysis of the beta globin genes highlighted a IVS2 nt844 C>G heterozygous mutation. Further more, the heterozygous mutation δ+ cod.27G>T was detected in his δ globin gene. For this reason, he was diagnosed a δ+β Thal. Conclusions: the aim of this paper is to highlight that biochemical diagnosis could not exhaustive and a molecular diagnostic widening is required to detect the genetic deficiency causing the thalassemic trait