Facing the challenges to shorten the diagnostic odyssey: first Whole Genome Sequencing experience of a Colombian cohort with suspected rare diseases.

Exome and genome sequencing (ES/GS) are routinely used for the diagnosis of genetic diseases in developed countries. However, their implementation is limited in countries from Latin America. We aimed to describe the results of GS in patients with suspected rare genetic diseases in Colombia. We studied 501 patients from 22 healthcare sites from January to December 2022. GS was performed in the index cases using dried blood spots on filtercards. Ancestry analysis was performed under iAdmix. Multiomic testing was performed when needed (biomarker, enzymatic activity, RNA-seq). All tests were performed at an accredited genetic laboratory. Ethnicity prediction data confirmed that 401 patients (80%) were mainly of Amerindian origin. A genetic diagnosis was established for 142 patients with a 28.3% diagnostic yield. The highest diagnostic yield was achieved for pathologies with a metabolic component and syndromic disorders (p < 0.001). Young children had a median of 1 year of diagnostic odyssey, while the median time for adults was significantly longer (15 years). Patients with genetic syndromes have spent more than 75% of their life without a diagnosis, while for patients with neurologic and neuromuscular diseases, the time of the diagnostic odyssey tended to decrease with age. Previous testing, specifically karyotyping or chromosomal microarray were significantly associated with a longer time to reach a definitive diagnosis (p < 0.01). Furthermore, one out of five patients that had an ES before could be diagnosed by GS. The Colombian genome project is the first Latin American study reporting the experience of systematic use of diagnostic GS in rare diseases.

Determinación de endogamia mediante método de isonimia en la población de Runta, Boyacá, Colombia / Determination of inbreeding by isonymy in the population of Runta, Boyacá, Colombia

Resumen Introducción. Dado el hallazgo de enfermedades raras de herencia recesiva en un número mayor de pacientes al esperado, estudios recientes han sugerido la ]presencia de un aislado poblacional en la vereda de Runta, en el departamento de Boyacá, Colombia. Esto indica la probabilidad de una tasa de consanguinidad aumentada en dicha población. Objetivos. Determinar los parámetros de endogamia mediante isonimia para analizar la estructura poblacional de la vereda Runta y ayudar a elucidar las causas de la aparición de estas enfermedades. Materiales y métodos. Se establecieron seis parámetros indicativos de estructura poblacional basados en los apellidos registrados en la base de datos del Sistema de Identificación y Selección de Potenciales Beneficiarios de Programas Sociales de los habitantes de Runta. Resultados. Se obtuvo coeficiente de endogamia (θii) de 0.0083, alfa de Fisher (α) de 30.0447 y estimativos A, B y C de 0.0379, 0.3413 y 0.4669, respectivamente. La mayoría de los individuos se encontraron agrupados en los apellidos más frecuentes de la población. Los parámetros de isonimia en Runta son similares a los de comunidades aisladas descritas en la literatura. Conclusión. Los resultados soportan la hipótesis previa de que se está ante un aislado genético en una población muy cercana a la capital del departamento de Boyacá.

Abstract Introduction: Recent studies have suggested the presence of a genetic isolate in the village of Runta, located in the department of Boyacá, Colombia, given the finding of a larger number of patients with rare diseases than expected for this population. This finding indicates the probability of an increased rate of inbreeding in this community. Objectives: To determine inbreeding parameters using isonymy to analyze the population structure of this village and to help elucidate the causes of these diseases. Materials and methods: Six parameters indicative of population structure were established based on the surnames registered in the database of the Potential Beneficiaries of Social Programs Identification and Selection System of the inhabitants of Runta. Results: Results showed an inbreeding coefficient (θii) of 0.0083, Fisher's alpha (α) of 30.0447 and A, B and C estimates of 0.0379, 0.3413 and 0.4669, respectively. Most individuals had the most popular surnames of the village, while isonymy parameters in Runta were found to be similar to those of isolated communities previously described in the literature. Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that there is indeed a genetic isolate located near the capital of the department of Boyacá.

Novel mutation of FKBP10 in a pediatric patient with osteogenesis imperfecta type XI identified by clinical exome sequencing.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a hereditary disease characterized by bone fragility caused by mutations in the proteins that support the formation of the extracellular matrix in the bone. The diagnosis of OI begins with clinical suspicion, from phenotypic findings at birth, low-impact fractures during childhood or family history that may lead to it. However, the variability in the semiology of the disease does not allow establishing an early diagnosis in all cases, and unfortunately, specific clinical data provided by the literature only report 28 patients with OI type XI. This information is limited and heterogeneous, and therefore, detailed information on the natural history of this disease is not yet available. This paper reports the case of a male patient who, despite undergoing multidisciplinary management, did not have a diagnosis for a long period of time, and could only be given one with the use of whole-exome sequencing. The use of the next-generation sequencing in patients with ultrarare genetic diseases, including skeletal dysplasias, should be justified when clear clinical criteria and an improvement in the quality of life of the patients and their families are intended while reducing economic and time costs. Thus, this case report corresponds to the 29th patient affected with OI type XI, and the 18th mutation in FKBP10, causative of this pathology.

Caracterización de pacientes con enfermedades genéticas del esqueleto en un centro colombiano de remisión / Characterization of patients with skeletal genetic diseases in a Colombian referral center

RESUMEN Introducción. La prevalencia de talla baja en Colombia es de 10 %, aproximadamente. En el 2009, la International Skeletal Dysplasia Society incluyó 456 condiciones clínicas en su clasificación, con base en criterios bioquímicos, radiológicos y moleculares para su diagnóstico. Objetivo. Analizar las variables demográficas, epidemiológicas y clínicas en un grupo de pacientes con enfermedades genéticas del esqueleto, remitidos al Instituto de Ortopedia Infantil Roosevelt. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron pacientes remitidos entre el 2008 y el 2014, con 167 diagnósticos relacionados con enfermedades genéticas del esqueleto según la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades, versión 2010 (CIE-10). Se exploraron las variables demográficas, epidemiológicas y clínicas empleando estadística descriptiva. Se generó una puntuación para las intervenciones que contempló las combinaciones de tratamientos, y se analizaron las variables mediante la prueba t de Student. Resultados. El motivo de consulta más frecuente fue por sospecha de enfermedad genética del esqueleto. Entre los tipos de tratamiento, se consideraron los de soporte, los quirúrgicos, el farmacológico y la 'ortesis', y se pudo establecer que los pacientes con enfermedades genéticas del esqueleto obtenían puntajes mayores en la variable de intervención y menores en las de talla alta y baja. Conclusiones. El diagnóstico de la mayoría de los pacientes remitidos respondía a enfermedades genéticas del esqueleto, talla baja y otras enfermedades genéticas monogénicas. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre la edad de inicio de los síntomas y la de diagnóstico, así como diversos enfoques terapéuticos. Hubo menos intervenciones en los pacientes con talla alta y baja, lo cual podría alertar sobre la necesidad de reevaluar las necesidades terapéuticas de este grupo.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Short height in Colombia has an estimated prevalence of 10%. The 2009 Nosology and Classification of Skeletal Genetic Diseases described 456 clinical conditions using biochemical, molecular and radiological criteria for diagnosis. Objective: To analyze demographic, epidemiological and clinical variables in a group of patients with skeletal genetic diseases referred to the Instituto de Ortopedia Infantil Roosevelt. Materials and methods: Patients referred between 2008 and 2014 were analyzed filtering 167 diagnoses of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD 10), related to skeletal genetic diseases. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical variables were explored using descriptive statistics. An intervention score was generated contemplating different combinations of treatments. An inferential statistical analysis using Student's t test was performed on such variables. Results: The most frequent reason for consultation was suspicion of a genetic skeletal disorder. The types of treatments considered included support, surgical, pharmacological and orthotics, and it was established that genetic skeletal disorders were associated with higher intervention scores while tall and short height showed a lower score. Conclusions: Most referred patients were classified with genetic bone diseases, short stature and other monogenic genetic diseases. Significant differences were found between the age at symptoms onset and the age of diagnosis. Diversity was found in the therapeutic approach among different groups of pathologies. Patients with tall and short height showed lower intervention scores, which may warn on the need to reassess the therapeutic requirements of these groups.

[Characterization of patients with skeletal genetic diseases in a Colombian referral center].

INTRODUCTION: Short height in Colombia has an estimated prevalence of 10%. The 2009 Nosology and Classification of Skeletal Genetic Diseases described 456 clinical conditions using biochemical, molecular and radiological criteria for diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To analyze demographic, epidemiological and clinical variables in a group of patients with skeletal genetic diseases referred to the Instituto de Ortopedia Infantil Roosevelt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients referred between 2008 and 2014 were analyzed filtering 167 diagnoses of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD 10), related to skeletal genetic diseases. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical variables were explored using descriptive statistics. An intervention score was generated contemplating different combinations of treatments. An inferential statistical analysis using Student's t test was performed on such variables. RESULTS: The most frequent reason for consultation was suspicion of a genetic skeletal disorder. The types of treatments considered included support, surgical, pharmacological and orthotics, and it was established that genetic skeletal disorders were associated with higher intervention scores while tall and short height showed a lower score. CONCLUSIONS: Most referred patients were classified with genetic bone diseases, short stature and other monogenic genetic diseases. Significant differences were found between the age at symptoms onset and the age of diagnosis. Diversity was found in the therapeutic approach among different groups of pathologies. Patients with tall and short height showed lower intervention scores, which may warn on the need to reassess the therapeutic requirements of these groups.

Natural History of Sanfilippo Syndrome Type C in Boyacá, Colombia.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type III, or Sanfilippo syndrome, is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by impairment in the degradation of Heparan sulfate. Here the authors describe the natural history of 5 related individuals; all associated through a large pedigree which reports a total of 11 affected members, originally from the Boyacá region in Colombia, diagnosed with MPS IIIC who all harbor a novel mutation in HGSNAT. The authors report an unusually high incidence of the disease in this population. The clinical features are similar to previously described patients, although some differences in the degree of severity and end-stage of the disease are seen in this specific group. The authors consider that the high degree of endogamy in this specific population could underlie modifying factors for the severity of presentation in these patients. Future studies might provide more information on the functional effect of this novel mutation, which could define this group as a genetic isolate.

SHOX gene and conserved noncoding element deletions/duplications in Colombian patients with idiopathic short stature.

SHOX gene mutations or haploinsufficiency cause a wide range of phenotypes such as Leri Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD), Turner syndrome, and disproportionate short stature (DSS). However, this gene has also been found to be mutated in cases of idiopathic short stature (ISS) with a 3-15% frequency. In this study, the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique was employed to determine the frequency of SHOX gene mutations and their conserved noncoding elements (CNE) in Colombian patients with ISS. Patients were referred from different centers around the county. From a sample of 62 patients, 8.1% deletions and insertions in the intragenic regions and in the CNE were found. This result is similar to others published in other countries. Moreover, an isolated case of CNE 9 duplication and a new intron 6b deletion in another patient, associated with ISS, are described. This is one of the first studies of a Latin American population in which deletions/duplications of the SHOX gene and its CNE are examined in patients with ISS.