Clearance and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in patients with COVID-19.

Patients with coronavirus disease-2019 may be discharged based on clinical resolution of symptoms, and evidence for viral RNA clearance from the upper respiratory tract. Understanding the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral clearance profile is crucial to establish a re-testing plan on discharge and ending isolation of patients. We aimed to evaluate the number of days that a patient needed to achieve undetectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 in upper respiratory tract specimens (nasopharyngeal swab and/or an oropharyngeal swab). The clearance and persistence of viral RNA was evaluated in two groups of positive patients: those who achieved two negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests and those who kept testing positive. Patients were organized thereafter in two subgroups, mild illness patients discharged home and inpatients who had moderate to severe illness. Results from RT-PCR tests were then correlated with results from the evaluation of the immune response. The study evidenced that most patients tested positive for more than 2 weeks and that persistence of viral RNA is not necessarily associated with severe disease but may result from a weaker immune response instead.

Hb Plasencia [α125(H8)Leu→Arg (α2)] is a frequent cause of α+-thalassemia in the Portuguese population.

Hb Plasencia is a thalassemic hemoglobin (Hb) mutation caused by a leucine to arginine replacement at residue 125 of the α2-globin chain (HBA2:c.377T>G). This variant was first described in the heterozygous state in association with a very mild α-thalassemic phenotype in three members of a Spanish family from Plasencia, Western Spain. Reviewing the molecular characterization of 308 Portuguese individual suspected of having α-thalassemia (α-thal) we found Hb Plasencia to be the second most frequent mutation after the -α(3.7) deletion.

Hb Iberia [α104(G11)Cys → Arg,TGC>CGC (α2) (HBA2:c.313T>C)], a new α-thalassemic hemoglobin variant found in the Iberian Peninsula: report of six cases.

We report a new structural defect of the α2-globin chain presenting with moderate microcytic hypochromic anemia, in six individuals from three unrelated families, living in Portugal and Spain. α-Globin gene deletions were ruled out by gap-polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Direct sequencing of the α2-globin gene revealed a substitution of codon 104 [α104(G11)Cys→Arg, TGC>CGC (α2) (HBA2:c.313T>C)]. This new variant, not detectable by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or electrophoresis, was called Hb Iberia, as it was observed for the first time in families from the Iberian Peninsula. Although the mutant allele is transcribed, as indicated by the balanced mRNA α/ß ratio, the abnormal α2 chain could not form a stable tetramer as the cysteine and arginine residues, located at the α1ß1 contact, differ in size, charge and hydrophobicity. Hb Iberia is the third mutation described at codon 104 on the α-globin genes, namely, Hb Sallanches (α2, TGC>TAC) and Hb Oegstgeest (α1, TGC>AGC), also characterized as unstable hemoglobins (Hbs), present on an α-thalassemic phenotype.

Variants in the new E1' cryptic exon of the VHL gene associated with congenital erythrocytosis-Description of three cases.

Congenital erythrocytosis (CE) represents a rare and heterogeneous group of hereditary disorders. The molecular basis of VHL gene mutations related to CE. Recently, Lenglet et al. reported a discovery of a novel cryptic exon in the VHL gene. Mutations in the first intronic region resulting in the creation of a cryptic exon termed E1' were found in seven families with CE and one family with VHL disease. We report three patients with prolonged CE with the aetiology being clarified several years later by sequencing of intronic region 1 of the VHL gene. This work addresses the first cases reported at the clinical level of VHL-associated CE due to the E1' cryptic exon.

A Japanese Family with Congenital Erythrocytosis Caused by Haemoglobin Bethesda.

We herein present a case of congenital erythrocytosis caused by haemoglobin (Hb) Bethesda in a Japanese family. A 55-year-old asymptomatic man was referred to our hospital for the investigation of erythrocytosis, which was present in other members of his family. The patient's serum erythropoietin level was normal, and the JAK2 V617F mutation was not detected. His P50 value was mildly decreased, thus we suspected the presence of an Hb variant with a high oxygen affinity. The high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed an abnormal Hb, and by direct sequencing we identified the Hb Bethesda variant in this patient. For the differential diagnosis, we recommend the estimation of the P50 value as a practical and useful test.

Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum: clinical and molecular analysis of 51 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS OMIM 164210) is a craniofacial developmental disorder affecting the development of the structures derived from the 1st and the 2nd branchial arches during embryogenesis, with consequential maxillary, mandibular, and ear abnormalities. The phenotype in OAVS is variable and associated clinical features can involve the cardiac, renal, skeletal, and central nervous systems. Its aetiology is still poorly understood. METHODS: We have evaluated the clinical phenotypes of 51 previously unpublished patients with OAVS and their parents, and performed comparative genomic hybridization microarray studies to identify potential causative loci. RESULTS: Of all 51 patients, 16 (31%) had a family history of OAVS. Most had no relevant pre-natal history and only 5 (10%) cases had a history of environmental exposures that have previously been described as risk factors for OAVS. In 28 (55%) cases, the malformations were unilateral. When the involvement was bilateral, it was asymmetric. Ear abnormalities were present in 47 (92%) patients (unilateral in 24; and bilateral in 23). Hearing loss was common (85%), mostly conductive, but also sensorineural, or a combination of both. Hemifacial microsomia was present in 46 (90%) patients (17 also presented facial nerve palsy). Ocular anomalies were present in 15 (29%) patients. Vertebral anomalies were confirmed in 10 (20%) cases; 50% of those had additional heart, brain and/or other organ abnormalities. Brain abnormalities were present in 5 (10%) patients; developmental delay was more common among these patients. Limb abnormalities were found in 6 (12%) patients, and urogenital anomalies in 5 (10%). Array-CGH analysis identified 22q11 dosage anomalies in 10 out of 22 index cases screened. DISCUSSION: In this study we carried out in-depth phenotyping of OAVS in a large, multicentre cohort. Clinical characteristics are in line with those reported previously, however, we observed a higher incidence of hemifacial microsomia and lower incidence of ocular anomalies. Furthermore our data suggests that OAVS patients with vertebral anomalies or congenital heart defects have a higher frequency of additional brain, limb or other malformations. We had a higher rate of familial cases in our cohort in comparison with previous reports, possibly because these cases were referred preferentially to our genetic clinic where family members underwent examination. We propose that familial OAVS cases show phenotypic variability, hence, affected relatives might have been misclassified in previous reports. Moreover, in view of its phenotypic variability, OAVS is potentially a spectrum of conditions, which overlap with other conditions, such as mandibulofacial dysostosis. Array CGH in our cohort identified recurrent dosage anomalies on 22q11, which may contribute to, or increase the risk of OAVS. We hypothesize that although the 22q11 locus may harbour gene(s) or regulatory elements that play a role in the regulation of craniofacial symmetry and 1st and 2nd branchial arch development, OAVS is a heterogeneous condition and many cases have a multifactorial aetiology or are caused by mutations in as yet unidentified gene(s).

Prenatal determination of the fetal RhD blood group by multiplex PCR: a 7-year Portuguese experience.

OBJECTIVES: This is a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and accuracy of the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, for early detection of fetuses at risk for hemolytic disease, in the population living in Portugal, and to characterize the RhD-negative individuals at serologic and molecular level. METHODS: 2030 uncultured amniotic fluid samples and 2012 blood samples from the respective RhD-negative pregnant women were studied by multiplex PCR of intron 3/intron 4, exon 7 and 3'UTR. Amniocentesis was performed for a variety of medical indications. For quality control, serologic RhD blood groups were determined in the cord blood, after birth. RESULTS: 1361 fetal amniotic samples were RhD-positive (67%), 669 were RhD-negative. The average time for diagnosis was 2 days for uncultured amniocytes and the molecular versus serologic RhD typing (n = 809) had 99.5% concordance. Among the 2012 serologic RhD-negative mothers, 26 had an RhD-positive allele. CONCLUSION: The multiplex PCR amplification used in this study was a rapid and accurate method to determine the RhD blood type in the population living in Portugal, being a great tool for management of pregnancies with fetuses at risk for alloimmune hemolytic disease. In this population, 1.3% of the serologic RhD-negative women have an RHD-positive allele.