The Palestinian primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) cohort: clinical, diagnostic and genetic spectrum

Background: Diagnostic testing for PCD started in 2013 in Palestine. We aimed to describe the clinical, diagnostic and genetic spectrum of the Palestinian PCD cohort. Methods: 390 individuals with symptoms suggestive of PCD and 74 family members underwent nasal nitric oxide (nNO); and/or transmission electron microscopy (TEM); and/or PCD genetic panel or whole exome testing. Clinical characteristics were collected close to diagnosis including FEV1 GLI z-scores and BMI z-scores. Results: 82 had a definite positive PCD diagnosis (TEM and/or genetics) and 103 were highly likely (Kartagener’s and/or low nNO). Positive cases (n=82) had median age of 13.5 years (range 0-43), were highly consanguineous (95%) and 100% Arabic descent. Clinical features included persistent wet cough (95%), neonatal respiratory distress (79%), clubbing (21%) and situs inversus (41%). Lung function at diagnosis was already impaired FEV1 z-score mean -1.49 (sd=1.79) and BMI z-score mean -0.30 SD=1.4. 69 families were genotyped. 59 individuals from 42 families (60%) had mutations in 14 PCD-genes; CCDC39 (26% of families), DNAH11 (17%) and LRRC6 (12%) were the most common. 16% had mutations in candidate genes, 24% had no variants identified. 100% of variants were homozygous. TEM defects and genotype associations were as expected. Conclusions: Despite limited local resources, collaborations during the last 7-years have facilitated detailed geno- and phenotyping of one of the largest PCD cohorts globally. nNO identifies likely cases and targeted genetic testing, conducted locally, can now identify specific mutations in known families

The Palestinian primary ciliary dyskinesia population: first results of the diagnostic, and genetic spectrum

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic testing for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) started in 2013 in Palestine. We aimed to describe the diagnostic, genetic and clinical spectrum of the Palestinian PCD population. METHODS: Individuals with symptoms suggestive of PCD were opportunistically considered for diagnostic testing: nasal nitric oxide (nNO) measurement, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and/or PCD genetic panel or whole-exome testing. Clinical characteristics of those with a positive diagnosis were collected close to testing including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) Global Lung Index z-scores and body mass index z-scores. RESULTS: 68 individuals had a definite positive PCD diagnosis, 31 confirmed by genetic and TEM results, 23 by TEM results alone, and 14 by genetic variants alone. 45 individuals from 40 families had 17 clinically actionable variants and four had variants of unknown significance in 14 PCD genes. CCDC39, DNAH11 and DNAAF11 were the most commonly mutated genes. 100% of variants were homozygous. Patients had a median age of 10.0 years at diagnosis, were highly consanguineous (93%) and 100% were of Arabic descent. Clinical features included persistent wet cough (99%), neonatal respiratory distress (84%) and situs inversus (43%). Lung function at diagnosis was already impaired (FEV1 z-score median −1.90 (−5.0–1.32)) and growth was mostly within the normal range (z-score mean −0.36 (−3.03–2.57). 19% individuals had finger clubbing. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limited local resources in Palestine, detailed geno- and phenotyping forms the basis of one of the largest national PCD populations globally. There was notable familial homozygosity within the context of significant population heterogeneity

The Palestinian primary ciliary dyskinesia population: first results of the diagnostic and genetic spectrum

Background Diagnostic testing for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) started in 2013 in Palestine. We aimed to describe the diagnostic, genetic and clinical spectrum of the Palestinian PCD population. Methods Individuals with symptoms suggestive of PCD were opportunistically considered for diagnostic testing: nasal nitric oxide (nNO) measurement, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and/or PCD genetic panel or whole-exome testing. Clinical characteristics of those with a positive diagnosis were collected close to testing including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) Global Lung Index z-scores and body mass index z-scores. Results 68 individuals had a definite positive PCD diagnosis, 31 confirmed by genetic and TEM results, 23 by TEM results alone, and 14 by genetic variants alone. 45 individuals from 40 families had 17 clinically actionable variants and four had variants of unknown significance in 14 PCD genes. CCDC39, DNAH11 and DNAAF11 were the most commonly mutated genes. 100% of variants were homozygous. Patients had a median age of 10.0 years at diagnosis, were highly consanguineous (93%) and 100% were of Arabic descent. Clinical features included persistent wet cough (99%), neonatal respiratory distress (84%) and situs inversus (43%). Lung function at diagnosis was already impaired (FEV1 z-score median −1.90 (−5.0–1.32)) and growth was mostly within the normal range (z-score mean −0.36 (−3.03–2.57). 19% individuals had finger clubbing. Conclusions Despite limited local resources in Palestine, detailed geno- and phenotyping forms the basis of one of the largest national PCD populations globally. There was notable familial homozygosity within the context of significant population heterogeneity

The Palestinian primary ciliary dyskinesia population: first results of the diagnostic, and genetic spectrum

Diagnostic testing for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) started in 2013 in Palestine. We aimed to describe the diagnostic, genetic, and clinical spectrum of the Palestinian PCD population.Individuals with symptoms suggestive of PCD were opportunistically considered for diagnostic testing: nasal nitric oxide (nNO) measurement, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and/or PCD genetic panel or whole exome testing. Clinical characteristics of those with a positive diagnosis were collected close to testing including FEV1 GLI z-scores, and BMI z-scores.Sixty-eight individuals had a definite positive PCD diagnosis, 31 confirmed by genetic and TEM results, 23 by TEM results alone, and 14 by genetic variants alone. Forty-five individuals from 40 families had seventeen clinically actionable variants, and 4 had variants of unknown significance in 14 PCD-genes. CCDC39, DNAH11, and DNAAF11 were the most commonly mutated genes. 100% of variants were homozygous. Patients had median age of 11.2 years at diagnosis, were highly consanguineous (93%) and 100% of Arabic descent. Clinical features included persistent wet cough (99%), neonatal respiratory distress (84%), and situs inversus (43%). Lung function at diagnosis was already impaired (FEV1 z-score median -1.90 (-5.0 to 1.32)) and growth was mostly within the normal range (z-score mean= -0.36 (-3.03 to 2.57). 19% individuals had finger clubbing. Despite limited local resources, detailed geno- and phenotyping forms the basis of one of the largest national PCD populations globally. There was notable familial homozygosity within the context of significant population heterogeneity. <br/