First Report of an α Chain Variant [Hb Coombe Park (HBA2: c.382A>G)] from India, Coinherited with a Novel SERPINC1 Gene Mutation: A Double Whammy?

Coinheritance of a high oxygen affinity structural hemoglobin (Hb) variant along with a thrombophilia marker is a rare occurrence. This may lead to a multi fold increase in the risk of thrombosis in patients. We report here a first case of Hb Coombe Park (HBA2: c.382A>G; p.Lys128Glu) from India, coinherited with a novel mutation (c.839C>G; p.Ser280Ter) on the SERPINC1 gene. This coinheritance has not been reported before. Though the patient is presently asymptomatic, identification of these variants will help in genetic counseling and to decide the future course of action in case of any clinical complications.

Detection of a novel mutation in NLRP3/CIAS1 gene in an Indian child with Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID).

Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID) or Chronic Infantile Neurologic Cutaneous Articular (CINCA) syndrome is a monogenic autoinflammatory disorder characterized by urticarial skin rash, fever, chronic meningitis and joint manifestations. Here we report a case of an Indian male child who presented at the age of 9 months with fever, respiratory distress, urticarial skin rash, arthritis, and neuroregression. Suspecting NOMID/CINCA syndrome, the child's blood was sent to the Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre for mutation analysis of the CIAS1/NLRP3 gene. The DNA was screened for mutations in exon 3 of CIAS1/NLRP3 gene by automated Sanger sequencing. DNA sequencing showed a novel heterozygous c.1813A➔G, p.R605G mutation in exon 3 of CIAS1/NLRP3 gene (ref no NM_001243133.1). His parents tested negative for this mutation. We therefore identified a novel de novo mutation in this family in the CIAS1/NLRP3 gene responsible for the child's clinical features.

Hematological and Molecular Findings in the First Case of Hb J-Norfolk [HBA2: c.173G>A (or HBA1] in an Indian Patient.

We here report a case of a 23-year-old female from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India who was detected to carry the α chain variant Hb J-Norfolk [HBA2: c.173G>A (or HBA1]. She had no clinical symptoms and was referred to us for routine investigations and screening. An abnormal peak was detected on both high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) with a fast-moving band on cellulose acetate electrophoresis. There is no detailed study on the HPLC and CE pattern of this hemoglobin (Hb) variant, and therefore, this study will help in detecting and avoiding missing these variants during routine investigations and population screening. This is the first report of this variant in the Indian population.

Hepatitis E Virus: A Cross-Sectional Serological and Virological Study in Pigs and Humans at Zoonotic Risk within a High-Density Pig Farming Area.

An increase in autochthonous hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections has been recorded in Italy suspected to be zoonotically transmitted from pigs; this study was carried out to determinate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with hepatitis HEV exposition, both in swine and humans working in pig farms, located within a high-density pig farming area in Piedmont region, north-western Italy. The presence of viral RNA in human and swine samples was also evaluated, and phylogenetic analysis was performed on HEV-positive samples. Forty-two swine farms were sampled; 142 workers were enrolled in the study and classified into two groups: (i) 69 workers with occupational contact with swine (including veterinarians and farmers) recruited in the 42 sampled farms; (ii) 73 without occupational contact with swine. Forty-one of 42 (97%) swine farms resulted positive to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test for HEV antibodies (Abs). Overall seroprevalence in swine was 50% (441/879), with seropositivity rate higher in sows (333/469, 71%). HEV RNA in stool samples was detected in animals from 13 of 42 tested farms (31%), and a higher positivity resulted in weaners (40/246, 16.3%). Phylogenetic analysis classified all HEV isolates within genotype 3 (subtypes 3f, 3e, 3c). All humans were negative for HEV viral genome in blood. Five of 142 sera were positive for IgG anti-HEV with an overall prevalence of 3.52% with no statistically significant differences in prevalence rates between workers at zoonotic risk and the control group (5.7% versus 1.3%). In contrast, a significant difference (OR 10.1) was observed within the subgroup including subjects exposed for short periods (veterinarians) compared with those who worked for long periods (farmers) suggesting a correlation between the time of exposure and the likelihood of HEV infection. Reporting HEV infection is not mandatory in Italy, but a constant epidemiological surveillance should be ensured to clarify the epidemiology of this disease.

Molecular pathology of rare bleeding disorders (RBDs) in India: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Though rare in occurrence, patients with rare bleeding disorders (RBDs) are highly heterogeneous and may manifest with severe bleeding diathesis. Due to the high rate of consanguinity in many caste groups, these autosomal recessive bleeding disorders which are of rare occurrence in populations across the world, may not be as rare in India. OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively analyze the frequency and nature of mutations in Indian patients with RBDs. METHODS: Pubmed search was used (www.pubmed.com) to explore the published literature from India on RBDs using the key words "rare bleeding disorders", "mutations", "India", "fibrinogen", "afibrinogenemia", "factor II deficiency", "prothrombin" "factor VII deficiency", "factor V deficiency", "factor X deficiency", "factor XI deficiency", "combined factor V and VIII deficiency", "factor XIII deficiency", "Bernard Soulier syndrome" and "Glanzmanns thrombasthenia" in different combinations. A total of 60 relevant articles could be retrieved. The distribution of mutations from India was compared with that of the world literature by referring to the Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD) (www.hgmd.org). RESULTS: Taken together, 181 mutations in 270 patients with different RBDs have been reported from India. Though the types of mutations reported from India and their percentage distribution with respect to the world data are largely similar, yet much higher percentage of small deletions, duplication mutations, insertions, indels were observed in this analysis. Besides the identification of novel mutations and polymorphisms, several common mutations have also been reported, which will allow to develop a strategy for mutation screening in Indian patients with RBDs. CONCLUSION: There is a need for a consortium of Institutions working on the molecular pathology of RBDs in India. This will facilitate a quicker and cheaper diagnosis of RBDs besides its utility in first trimester prenatal diagnosis of the affected families.

Variable presentation of HB H disease due to homozygosity for the rare polyadenylation signal A T(Indian) (AATAAA>AATA- -) mutation in four Indian families.

The aim of this study was to identify the molecular defects leading to the variable clinical and hematological presentation of four patients with Hb H disease. Investigations included a complete blood count, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses, cellulose acetate electrophoresis (pH 8.9), heat stability test, α genotyping by multiplex gap polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR) to screen for the eight common α-globin gene deletions and DNA sequencing to detect the other deletional and nondeletional α-globin gene mutations. Two patients aged 15 and 5.5 years had a mild clinical presentation. The first patient aged 3 years had a severe presentation requiring regular transfusions. This patient also had an enlarged spleen and had to undergo splenectomy. The third patient, aged 5 years, also had severe anemia, had been transfused once and had a spleen of 4.5 cms. The hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the four patients ranged from 4.2 to 8.2 g/dL and they all had reticulocytosis (10.0 to 31.0%). Cellulose acetate electrophoresis at pH 8.9 showed a fast moving band that ranged from 18.0 to 25.9%. All the four patients were homozygous for the polyadenylation signal A (polyA) T(Indian) (AATAAA>AATA-) mutation. This mutation has been seen in Eastern India but not from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh where our patients originated.

First case of Hb Fontainebleau with sickle haemoglobin and other non-deletional α gene variants identified in neonates during newborn screening for sickle cell disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of non-deletional α gene variants identified in neonates during newborn screening for sickle cell disorders. METHODS: 1534 newborn babies were screened in the last 2 years for sickle cell disease using a targeted screening approach. Investigations included a complete blood count, high performance liquid chromatography analysis, cellulose acetate electrophoresis (pH 8.9), heat stability test, restriction digestion and Amplified Refractory Mutation System for confirmation of sickle haemoglobin (Hb S), α genotyping by multiplex PCR and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Three non-deletional α gene variants, Hb Fontainebleau, Hb O Indonesia and Hb Koya Dora, were identified in heterozygous condition in newborns. This is the first report of Hb Fontainebleau in association with Hb S. The baby had anaemia at birth (Hb 11.4 g/dl) with no cyanosis, icterus or need for transfusion. She had occipital encephalocoele and was operated on day 24 to remove the mass. The baby diagnosed with Hb O Indonesia in combination with Hb S also had a low haemoglobin level of 12.7 g/dl. CONCLUSION: Newborn screening for sickle cell disorders also enabled us to identify three α globin chain variants. Two babies who inherited Hb Fontainebleau and Hb O Indonesia along with Hb S had reduced Hb levels at birth and need to be followed up.

Effect of hydroxyurea on the transfusion requirements in patients with severe HbE-beta-thalassaemia: a genotypic and phenotypic study.

BACKGROUND: Haemoglobin E (HbE)-beta-thalassaemia has a very variable clinical presentation. The management of severe cases that are often transfusion dependent is similar to that of cases of beta-thalassaemia major; however, this is often not possible in India because of its high cost and the lack of availability of safe blood at many places. Thus there was a need for a drug such as hydroxyurea, which is known to reduce the transfusion requirements of patients with thalassaemia intermedia. This study was undertaken to evaluate the response of Indian patients with HbE-beta-thalassaemia to hydroxyurea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 11 patients with HbE-beta-thalassaemia receiving regular transfusion plus two less frequently transfused patients were selected for hydroxyurea therapy. Clinical and haematological evaluation was performed before and after treatment for 2 years. Molecular studies included beta-globin genotype, beta-globin gene haplotype, Xmn I polymorphism and alpha-genotyping. RESULTS: Four clinically severe patients became transfusion independent (responders) after hydroxyurea therapy, four patients showed a reduction in their transfusion requirements (partial responders), and three patients were non-responders. Responders showed a statistically significant increase in Hb, mean corpuscular volume, mean cell Hb, fetal Hb and F cells with a reduction in their transfusion requirements. A reduction in serum ferritin concentration was also seen in responders and non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic markers such as Xmn I polymorphism and alpha-gene deletions were not always beneficial for the response to hydroxyurea therapy. Thus many more markers and a larger cohort need to be studied to predict the response in these patients.

Molecular diversity of hemoglobin H disease in India.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the variable clinical expression of hemoglobin (Hb) H disease in India. For the study, alpha genotyping was done in 8 patients with Hb H disease using multiplex polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. The study revealed that 4 genotypes (- -(SEA)/ -alpha(3.7), - -(SA)/-alpha(3.7), - -(SEA)/-alpha(3.7 Sallanches), - -alpha(3.7)/-alpha(3.7 Sallanches)) were responsible for Hb H disease, the alpha+ thalassemia mutation (-alpha(3.7) deletion) being the most common defect. The nondeletional mutation Hb Sallanches (alpha 2 codon 104 G --> A) was seen in 3 cases. Two unique and novel genotypes leading to Hb H disease were characterized (- -(SEA)/-alpha(3.7 Sallanches) and -alpha(3.7)/-alpha(3.7 Sallanches)). Because a majority of patients with Hb H disease do not have severe manifestations, prenatal diagnosis is usually unwarranted in India.

Response to hydroxyurea in beta thalassemia major and intermedia: experience in western India.

BACKGROUND: The clinical and hematological response to hydroxyurea was evaluated in beta thalassemia patients in western India with variable clinical severity and correlated with genetic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine patients-[38-beta thalassemia intermedia-(group I), 41-beta thalassemia major-(group II)] on hydroxyurea therapy were followed-up for 20-24months. RESULTS: Among the frequently transfused patients in group I, 58% became transfusion independent and 16% showed a 50% reduction in transfusions after therapy which correlated with a higher mean fold increase in HbF and gamma mRNA expression levels. Forty-one percent of patients in group I had associated alpha-thalassemia and 72.7% were XmnI (+/+). beta thalassemia chromosomes among the responders of group I (41%) were linked to haplotype (- + + - + + - - +) as against haplotype (+ - - - - - - - +) being more common among the non-responders. Response was not linked to the beta thalassemia mutations. Thirty-two percent of group II patients showed a 50% reduction in their transfusion requirements after therapy which also correlated with a higher mean fold increase in HbF and gamma mRNA expression levels. A significant decrease in serum ferritin was seen in both groups. 19% of patients could not tolerate the drug. CONCLUSIONS: In group I, clinical response to hydroxyurea was better in patients with alpha-thalassemia, XmnI (+/+) and a higher mean fold increase in gamma mRNA expression. In group II, only one-third of patients showed a partial response.

A study of the progress of the Aujeszky's disease control programme in Italy using survival analysis.

A 3-year study (1997-2000) was performed on 294 swine herds from Italy, where a National Programme of Control of Aujeszky's Disease (AD) based on compulsory vaccination has been operative since 1997. Aim of the study was to evaluate the progress of this control programme using a survival approach applied to gE-seropositive herds at the beginning of the programme. The cumulative proportion of herds still gE-seropositive at the end of the study was 0.57. No significant difference in the probability of becoming gE-seronegative during the study period was found between herds of different type (breeding versus farrow-to-finish) whereas significant differences were seen between herds from different areas. The Cox's proportional hazards regression, performed on data from 79 herds, showed that the only risk factor significantly associated with a higher probability of becoming gE-seronegative is again the geographical location. Other risk factors considered in the analysis were: type of enterprise, type of replacement of animals, herd size, pig and pig herds densities around the farm, distance from the nearest pig herd and year of beginning of the vaccination with a gE-deleted vaccine.