Biallelic variants in the SORD gene are one of the most common causes of hereditary neuropathy among Czech patients.

Recently, biallelic variants in the SORD gene were identified as causal for axonal hereditary neuropathy (HN). We ascertained the spectrum and frequency of SORD variants among a large cohort of Czech patients with unknown cause of HN. Exome sequencing data were analysed for SORD (58 patients). The prevalent c.757del variant was tested with fragment analysis (931 patients). Sanger sequencing in additional 70 patients was done. PCR primers were designed to amplify the SORD gene with the exclusion of the pseudogene SORD2P. Sequence differences between gene and pseudogene were identified and frequencies of SNPs were calculated. Eighteen patients from 16 unrelated families with biallelic variants in the SORD gene were found and the c.757del was present in all patients on at least one allele. Three novel, probably pathogenic, variants were detected, always in a heterozygous state in combination with the c.757del on the second allele. Patients presented with a slowly progressive axonal HN. Almost all patients had moderate pes cavus deformity. SORD neuropathy is frequent in Czech patients and the third most common cause of autosomal recessive HN. The c.757del is highly prevalent. Specific amplification of the SORD gene with the exclusion of the pseudogene is essential for a precise molecular diagnostics.

Demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy associated with FBLN5 mutations.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 (CMT1) is a group of autosomal dominantly inherited demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathies. Symptoms usually start in the first to second decade and include distal muscle weakness and wasting, sensory disturbances and foot deformities. The most frequent cause is a duplication of PMP22 whilst point mutations in PMP22 and other genes are rare causes. Recently, FBLN5 mutations have been reported in CMT1 families. METHODS: Individuals with FBLN5-associated CMT1 were compiled from clinical and research genetic testing laboratories. Clinical data were extracted from medical records or obtained during patients' visits at our centres or primary care sites. RESULTS: Nineteen CMT1 families containing 38 carriers of three different FBLN5 missense variants were identified and a mutational hotspot at c.1117C>T (p.Arg373Cys) was confirmed. Compared to patients with the common PMP22 duplication, individuals with FBLN5 variants had a later age of diagnosis (third to fifth decade) and less severely reduced motor median nerve conduction velocities (around 31 m/s). The most frequent clinical presentations were prominent sensory disturbances and painful sensations, often as initial symptom and pronounced in the upper limbs, contrasting with rather mild to moderate motor deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the relevance of FBLN5 mutations in CMT1. It is proposed to include FBLN5 in the genetic work-up of individuals suspected with CMT1, particularly when diagnosis is established beyond the first and second decade and comparably moderate motor deficits contrast with early and marked sensory involvement. FBLN5-associated CMT1 has a recognizable clinical phenotype and should be referred to as CMT1H according to the current classification scheme.

Novel SBF2 mutations and clinical spectrum of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy type 4B2.

Biallelic SBF2 mutations cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4B2 (CMT4B2), a sensorimotor neuropathy with autosomal recessive inheritance and association with glaucoma. Since the discovery of the gene mutation, only few additional patients have been reported. We identified seven CMT4B2 families with nine different SBF2 mutations. Revisiting genetic and clinical data from our cohort and the literature, SBF2 variants were private mutations, including exon-deletion and de novo variants. The neuropathy typically started in the first decade after normal early motor development, was predominantly motor and had a rather moderate course. Electrophysiology and nerve biopsies indicated demyelination and excess myelin outfoldings constituted a characteristic feature. While neuropathy was >90% penetrant at age 10 years, glaucoma was absent in ~40% of cases but sometimes developed with age. Consequently, SBF2 mutation analysis should not be restricted to individuals with coincident neuropathy and glaucoma, and CMT4B2 patients without glaucoma should be followed for increased intraocular pressure. The presence of exon-deletion and de novo mutations demands comprehensive mutation scanning and family studies to ensure appropriate diagnostic approaches and genetic counseling.

Muscular dystrophies and myopathies: the spectrum of mutated genes in the Czech Republic.

Inherited neuromuscular disorder (NMD) is a wide term covering different genetic disorders affecting muscles, nerves, and neuromuscular junctions. Genetic and clinical heterogeneity is the main drawback in a routine gene-by-gene diagnostics. We present Czech NMD patients with a genetic cause identified using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) and the spectrum of these causes. Overall 167 unrelated patients presenting NMD falling into categories of muscular dystrophies, congenital muscular dystrophies, congenital myopathies, distal myopathies, and other myopathies were tested by targeted NGS of 42 known NMD-related genes. Pathogenic or probably pathogenic sequence changes were identified in 79 patients (47.3%). In total, 37 novel and 51 known disease-causing variants were detected in 23 genes. In addition, variants of uncertain significance were suspected in 7 cases (4.2%), and in 81 cases (48.5%) sequence changes associated with NMD were not found. Our results strongly indicate that for molecular diagnostics of heterogeneous disorders such as NMDs, targeted panel testing has a high-clinical yield and should therefore be the preferred first-tier approach. Further, we show that in the genetic diagnostic practice of NMDs, it is necessary to take into account different types of inheritance including the occurrence of an autosomal recessive disorder in two generations of one family.

HSMNR belongs to the most frequent types of hereditary neuropathy in the Czech Republic and is twice more frequent than HMSNL.

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type Russe (HMSNR), also called CMT4G, is an autosomal recessive inherited peripheral neuropathy (IPN) caused by a founder mutation in the HK1 gene. HMSNR affects only patients with Roma origin, similar to the better known HMSN type Lom clarified earlier. By testing IPN patients with Roma origin, we realized that HMSNR affects surprisingly many patients in the Czech Republic. HMSNR is one of the most frequent types of IPN in this country and appears to be twice more frequent than HMSNL. Pronounced lower limb atrophies and severe deformities often lead to walking inability in even young patients, but hands are usually only mildly affected even after many years of disease duration. The group of 20 patients with HMSNR presented here is the first report about the prevalence of HMSNR from central Europe.

Mutations in HINT1 are one of the most frequent causes of hereditary neuropathy among Czech patients and neuromyotonia is rather an underdiagnosed symptom.

Mutations in the HINT1 gene were recently discovered as being the major cause of autosomal recessive axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia. This combination was clinically recognized and described previously in a few reports but is generally unknown. We aimed to establish the importance of HINT1 mutations as the cause of hereditary neuropathy and particularly hereditary motor neuropathy/axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth (HMN/CMT2) among Czech patients. Overall, mutations in the HINT1 gene seem to be a surprisingly frequent cause of inherited neuropathy in our group of patients. Biallelic pathogenic mutations were found in 21 patients from 19 families. The prevalent mutation in the Czech population is the p.R37P (95% of pathogenic alleles). Clinically, all patients with biallelic mutations presented with early onset of symptoms at the end of the first decade. Foot/toe extension weakness to plegia was present in almost all patients. Neuromyotonia was present in all but two patients. However, it had been properly recognized in only three patients prior to molecular genetic diagnosis. HINT1 mutations seem to be one of the most frequent causes of inherited neuropathy and are probably the most frequent cause of HMN in Czech patients. We suggest all HMN/CMT2 patients be tested for the presence of the prevalent mutation, the p.R37P.

Lower urinary tract functions in a series of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate lower urinary tract (LUT), bowel, and sexual dysfunctions in a series of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 58 patients and 54 healthy controls filled out the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) and the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular (ICIQ) Questionnaires to assess their symptoms and their impact on the patient's quality of life. RESULTS: On the IPSS questionnaire, CMT patients reported a significantly higher score compared with the healthy controls in 7 of 8 questions. The ICIQ-male LUT symptoms questionnaire revealed a significantly higher score in 7 of 26 questions. In the ICIQ-female LUT questionnaire, a significantly higher score was observed in 13 of 24 questions. When assessing the bowel function in CMT patients using the ICIQ-bowel questionnaire, a significantly higher score in 30 of 40 questions was noted. No differences in sexual function were found in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of the LUT symptoms and bowel dysfunctions in CMT patients was significantly higher when compared with an age-matched control group. The symptoms were more frequent in female patients. The findings suggest that autonomic dysfunction should be evaluated and included in the diagnostic approach and care of CMT patients.

Mosaicism for GJB1 mutation causes milder Charcot-Marie-Tooth X1 phenotype in a heterozygous man than in a manifesting heterozygous woman.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a heterogeneous disorder of the peripheral nervous system that collectively affects approximately 1 in 2,500 individuals, thus making it the most common inherited neurologic disorder. X-linked inheritance may account for 10-20 % of CMT neuropathy. We report a Czech family with a 30-year-old woman affected by CMT since the age of 10 years, originally as an isolated case. Nerve conduction study (NCS) showed demyelinating neuropathy, and DNA testing revealed a novel heterozygous gap junction beta-1 protein (GJB1) mutation c.784_786delTA. The same mutation, but surprisingly in heterozygous state, was subsequently found in her subjectively healthy father and later also in one of her sisters but not in her two other sisters. NCS showed intermediate type of motor and sensory neuropathy in these two females manifesting heterozygotes and normal results in the other healthy sisters and one brother, all without the c.784_786delTA mutation. The father has a phenotype milder than his daughter and has only subclinical signs of CMT. The index female patient had normal karyotype 46, XX, and normal FISH for centromeric X chromosome. We concluded that the proband's father is a heterozygote due to the somatic mosaicism for the GJB1 mutation in his leukocytes (detected by DNA sequencing) and also in his germ cells as confirmed by the unexpectedly different genotypes in his four daughters. Quantitative analysis revealed a mutated signal in 25:75 allele proportion of mutated to healthy allele in the mosaic father. This study has important consequences for genetic counseling and prognosis in CMTX1 families.

Phenotypic variability in a large Czech family with a dynamin 2-associated Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy.

Mutations in the Dynamin 2 gene (DNM2) cause autosomal dominant centronuclear myopathy or autosomal dominant (AD) Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. Here the authors report one large Czech family with 15 members affected with an AD CMT phenotype of extraordinary variability. Genetic linkage analysis using SNP arrays revealed a locus of about 9.6 Mb on chromosome 19p13.1-13.2. In this critical interval, 373 genes were located. The only gene herein known to be associated with an intermediate type of CMT was Dynamin 2 (DNM2). Subsequent sequence analysis of the DNM2 gene in the index patient revealed a novel missense mutation p.Met580Thr. This missense mutation segregated with the neuropathy, indicating the causal character of this mutation. The phenotype of CMT in this family shows mild to moderate impairment with relatively preserved upper limbs and a very broad range of the onset of clinical symptoms from an early onset around the age of 12 to the late onset during the fifth decade. Electrophysiology showed an intermediate type of peripheral neuropathy. The motor median nerve conduction velocity varied from 36 m/s to normal values with signs of asymmetrical affection of peripheral nerves. No additional symptoms such as cranial nerve involvement, cataract, and signs of neutropenia or myopathy syndrome were observed in any member of the family yet. The progression was slow with no loss of ambulation. The authors suggest that the characterization of clinical variability in a single family may help to direct the genetic analysis directly to the rarely observed DNM2 mutations.

High frequency of SH3TC2 mutations in Czech HMSN I patients.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy type 4C (CMT4C) is an autosomal recessive (AR), demyelinating neuropathy with early spine deformities caused by mutations in the SH3TC2 gene. To determine the spectrum of SH3TC2 mutations in the Czech population, the entire coding region of SH3TC2 was sequenced in 60 unrelated Czech patients. The prevalent mutation was shown to be the p.Arg954Stop. Therefore, 412 additional patients referred for CMT testing were tested for the presence of p.Arg954Stop only. Of 60 patients in whom the SH3TC2 gene was sequenced, at least one mutation was detected in 13 (21.7%) patients and biallelic pathogenic mutations were detected in 7 (11.6%) patients. Of the 412 patients tested for p.Arg954Stop, the mutation was found in 8 patients (1.94%), 6 were homozygous and 2 were heterozygous. The second causative mutation was detected by sequencing in one of the patients but not in the other. Nine novel sequence variants were detected. Their pathogenicity was further tested in silico and in control samples. Mutations in the SH3TC2 gene are a frequent cause of demyelinating hereditary neuropathy among Czech patients. In total, at least one mutation was found in 21 unrelated patients. CMT4C seems to be the most frequent type of AR CMT and one of the most frequent of all CMT types. Mutation p.Arg954Stop is highly prevalent in the Czech population. Patients with demyelinating neuropathy along with non-dominant mode of inheritance and negative for CMT1A/hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy should be tested for the presence of the p.Arg954Stop mutation or other mutations in the SH3TC2 gene.

Clinical and in silico evidence for and against pathogenicity of 11 new mutations in the MPZ gene.

Mutations in the myelin protein zero (MPZ) gene are one of the frequent causes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) hereditary neuropathies. Because the mutation rate of MPZ gene is rather high and some mutations are reported as polymorphisms, the proper clinical, electrophysiological examination and the segregation of the new mutation in larger families are crucial for the correct interpretation of the pathogenic or non-pathogenic character of each novel mutation. We examined 11 families with novel MPZ mutations. Eight of the mutations (L48Q, T65N, E97fs, G103W, P132T, T143R, V146G, c.645+1G>T) seem to be pathogenic on the basis of perfect segregation with the CMT phenotype and two (G213R and D246N), on the contrary, seem to be non-pathogenic/rare polymorphisms because they are present in healthy relatives. The character of the V46M mutation is difficult to interpret definitely; it may cause a sensory neuropathy or may also be a rare polymorphism. Phenotypes associated with each of the new mutations include severe hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type III (HMSN III), and mild phenotype CMT1B presented mostly with only decreased or absent reflexes, foot deformities and mild or even absent atrophies in the lower limbs. Our report and careful family investigations with genotype-phenotype correlations should help to improve genetic counselling and correct interpretation of DNA testing results in further isolated patients or smaller families worldwide where these novel mutations might be found.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy type 1A combined with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

We report a 24-year-old male with an unusual combination of two inherited neuromuscular disorders--Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease type 1A and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). A phenotypic presentation of this patient included features of both these disorders. Nerve conduction studies revealed demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. Electromyography showed a profound myogenic pattern. The serum creatine kinase level was highly elevated. Muscle biopsy revealed a dystrophic picture with deficient dystrophin immunostaining. CMT1A duplication on chromosome 17p11.2 was found. The frame-shift mutation c.3609-3612delTAAAinsCTT (p.K1204LfsX11) was detected in the dystrophin gene by analysing mRNA isolated from the muscle tissue. The patient inherited both these mutations from his mother. The combination of CMT1A and DMD has not been reported as yet.

GDAP1 mutations in Czech families with early-onset CMT.

Mutations in the ganglioside-induced differentiation associated protein-1 gene (GDAP1) cause autosomal recessive (AR) demyelinating or axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT). In order to establish the spectrum and frequency of GDAP1 mutations in Czech population, we sequenced GDAP1 in 74 Czech patients from 69 unrelated families with early-onset demyelinating or axonal CMT compatible with AR inheritance. We identified three isolated patients with GDAP1 mutations in both alleles. In one additional sporadic and one familial case, the second pathogenic mutation remained unknown. Overall, we detected two different mutations, a novel R191X nonsense and a L239F missense mutation. L239F previously described in a German-Italian family is a prevalent mutation in Czech population and we give evidence for its common ancestral origin. All Czech GDAP1 patients developed involvement of all four limbs evident by the end of second decade, except for one isolated patient showing very slow disease progression. All patients displayed axonal type of neuropathy.

[Granulomatous myopathy in patients with sarcoidosis and myasthenia gravis]. / Granulomatózní myopatie u pacientu se sarkoidózou a myasthenia gravis.

Granulomatous myopathies are extremely rare. The finding of epithelioid granulomas in muscle biopsy indicates mostly an involvement of the skeletal muscle in systemic sarcoidosis. In this report we provide description of five patients with previously diagnosed sarcoidosis (pulmonary or cutaneous), in which a clinically significant muscle weakness developed. We aim at demonstrating the value of muscle biopsy for further treatment of the patients, since clinically indistinguishable myopathies can arise not due to the involvement of muscles in the granulomatous process, but due to the corticosteroid-induced changes (chronic steroid myopathy). The demonstration of a selective atrophy of type II muscle fibers can provide the clue for distinguishing the patients, in which the corticosteroid treatment should continue, from those, in which the treatment should be modified. Further, we discuss a rare finding of granulomas in muscle biopsies of two patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) associated with thymoma. Although it is difficult to explain the pathogenesis of this event, MG should be considered in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous myopathies. Moreover, the finding of granulomas along with lymphocytic infiltration in MG muscle should lead to a search for an underlying thymic neoplasm.

Novel EGR2 mutation R359Q is associated with CMT type 1 and progressive scoliosis.

Mutations in the early growth response 2 gene (EGR2) cause demyelinating neuropathies differing in severity and age of onset. We tested 46 unrelated Czech patients with dominant or sporadic demyelinating CMT neuropathy for mutations in the EGR2 gene. One novel de-novo mutation (Arg359Gln, R359Q) was identified in heterozygous state in a patient with a typical CMT1 phenotype, progressive moderate thoracolumbar scoliosis and without clinical signs of cranial nerve dysfunction. This patient is presently less affected compared to previously described Dejerine-Sottas neuropathy (DSN) patients carrying another substitution at codon 359 (Arg359Trp, R359W). This report shows that EGR2 mutations are rare in Czech patients with demyelinating type of CMT and suggests that different substitutions at codon 359 of EGR2 can cause significantly different phenotypes.

Hearing loss as the first feature of late-onset axonal CMT disease due to a novel P0 mutation.

A Czech family with three individuals carrying a novel mutation, 290 A-->T (Glu97Val), in the myelin protein zero gene (P0) is reported. The two eldest carriers developed progressive sensorineural hearing loss and abnormal pupillary reaction at age 18. These preceded the onset of the classic signs of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) by more than a decade. Sural nerve biopsy and nerve conduction studies were compatible with the axonal type of CMT. The authors show that progressive hearing loss can be the first symptom in P0 mutation carriers.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth type X: A novel mutation in the Cx32 gene with central conduction slowing.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is characterized by distal muscle weakness and wasting, often resulting in foot deformities and gait disturbances, distal sensory impairment and by more or less typical changes in sural nerve biopsy. CMT type 1 is also characterized by reduced nerve conduction velocities. For these demyelinating subtypes, most frequently a 1.5 Mb tandem duplication in chromosome 17p11.2-12 comprising the gene for the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) is observed (CMT1A), but point mutations in PMP22 have also rarely been reported. X-linked, dominant CMTX1 disease is the second most common type of these hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies (HMSN). Mutations in the X chromosomal gene Connexin32 (Cx32) synonymous gap junction beta-1 (GJB1) are detectable in most X-linked CMT families. We report a novel missense mutation--Tyr65His--in the first extracelullar domain of the Cx32 gene in a Czech CMTX1 family. The mutation was not detectable in 50 healthy controls. The clinical phenotype in both the male proband and his mother was moderate with pronounced peroneal weakness and foot drop. Nerve conduction velocities were intermediately decreased (31-38 m/s) in both patients and slowing of central acoustic conduction (BAEP) was found in both the son and the mother whereas visual central conduction slowing (VEP) was detectable only in the son.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP): reliable detection of the CMT1A duplication and HNPP deletion using 8 microsatellite markers in 2 multiplex PCRs.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) are the most frequent inherited disorders of the peripheral nervous system. They are clinically and genetically heterogeneous. A submicroscopic tandem duplication of 1. 5 Mb in chromosome 17p11.2-12 comprising the PMP22 gene is found in 70.7% of autosomal dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1 (CMT1) patients. A reciprocal deletion is found in 87.6% of HNPP patients. The size of the typical CMT1A duplication is too small for classical cytogenetics and the whole region including the CMT1A-REP elements is sometimes too complex for a single DNA analysis method. We present results of a multiplex PCR of 8 microsatellite markers with multicolour fluorescence primer labelling followed by fragment analysis on an ABI 310 Prism analyzer to simplify the diagnostic procedure. Results for 24 patients can be obtained within 24 h. This method was applied on 92 DNA samples of unrelated patients carrying a typical CMT1A duplication previously confirmed by two colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH, probe c132G8) and EcoRI/SacI Southern blotting (probe pLR7.8). Three alleles of three different sizes were clearly detected at least once in 88 of them (95.6%). Subsequently this analysis was applied on 312 Czech patients and revealed a CMT1A/HNPP rearrangement in 109 out of them.