Measurement of sulfatides in the amniotic fluid supernatant: A useful tool in the prenatal diagnosis of metachromatic leukodystrophy.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal disorder caused by deficiency of arylsulfatase A (ARSA), leading to an accumulation of sulfatides. Sulfatides have been quantified in urine, dried blood spots (DBS), and tissues of patients with MLD. Newborn screening (NBS) for MLD has already been proposed based on a two-tier approach with the quantification of sulfatides in DBS followed by the quantification of ARSA by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Prenatal screening for MLD is also crucial, and sulfatide quantification in amniotic fluid (AF) can aid diagnosis. The prenatal study was initiated due to a family history of MLD at 19 weeks of gestation. ARSA was quantified in cultured amniocytes. C16:0 sulfatide was quantified by LC-MS/MS in the supernatant of AF. Molecular analysis of the ARSA gene was performed in cultured amniocytes. ARSA was deficient in fetal cells, and C16:0 sulfatides were significantly elevated in comparison to age-matched controls (3-fold higher). Genetic studies identified the c.465+1G>A variant in homozygosis in the ARSA gene. Our study shows that sulfatides can be quantified in the supernatant of AF of MLD fetuses, and it could potentially aid in a faster and more accurate diagnosis of MLD patients.

The natural history of pregnancies with prenatal diagnosis of Trisomy 18 or Trisomy 13: Retrospective cases of a 23-year experience in a Brazilian public hospital.

Trisomy 18 (T18) and trisomy 13 (T13) are polymalformative syndromes associated with a high rate of spontaneous abortions, intrauterine death, and short postnatal life. This study describes the overall outcome in a country where the therapeutic interruption of pregnancy is not available. The medical records of women with prenatal diagnosis of full trisomy of T13 or T18 between October 1994 and October 2017 were analyzed in order to describe their natural outcomes. Thirteen cases of T13 and 29 cases of T18 were included. The miscarriage rate was 9% for T18 and no cases for T13. Intrauterine fetal death occurred in 46% and 52% of cases for T13 and T18, respectively. The rate of live births for T13 was 54%, and the median survival was one day (95% CI -33.55 - 90.40) and 71% died in the first 24 hours of life. The rate of live births for T18 was 37% and the median survival was two days (95% CI -1.89 - 13.17); 90% of the affected babies died within first week of life. For the affected babies reaching the first year of life and for those who lived longer, multiple invasive and expensive procedures were required, without success in prolonging life beyond 180 days. This large series provides information for professionals and women regarding the natural histories of T13 and T18. Results of this study are consistent with those referenced in the literature, emphasizing the need of structured protocols and guidelines aiming early T13 and T18 diagnosis, prenatal care, gestation/parents follow-up, and counseling processes. For those couples with earlier diagnosis, a better follow-up and counseling during the prenatal care lead to the option for a support or palliative management of the newborn. Finally, when the counseling process is appropriate, it becomes easier to take decisions respecting the parent's autonomy and to look for better outcomes for both, the mother and the fetus.

Niemann-Pick Disease Type C: Mutation Spectrum and Novel Sequence Variations in the Human NPC1 Gene.

Niemann-Pick type C (NP-C) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by storage of unesterified glycolipids and cholesterol in lysosome and/or late endosome due to mutations in either NPC1 or NPC2 gene. This study aims to identify the spectrum of sequence alterations associated to NP-C in individuals with clinical suspicion of this disease. The entire coding region and flanking sequences of both genes associated to NP-C were evaluated in a total of 265 individuals that were referred to our laboratory. Clinical and/or biochemical suspicion of NP-C was confirmed by molecular analysis in 54 subjects. In this cohort, 33 different sequence alterations were identified in NPC1 and one in NPC2. Among those, 5 novel alterations in NPC1 gene were identified as follows: one deletion (p.Lys38_Tyr40del), one frameshift (p.Asn195Lysfs*2), and three missense mutations (p.Cys238Arg, p.Ser365Pro and, p.Val694Met) that are likely to be pathogenic through different approaches, including in silico tools as well as multiple sequence alignment throughout different species. We have also reported main clinical symptoms of patients with novel alterations and distribution of frequent symptoms in the cohort. Findings reported here contribute to the knowledge of mutation spectrum of NP-C, defining frequent mutations as well as novel sequence alterations associated to the disease.

[Prevalence of congenital abnormalities identified in fetuses with 13, 18 and 21 chromosomal trisomy]. / Prevalência das malformações congênitas identificadas em fetos com trissomia dos cromossomos 13, 18 e 21.

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence of malformations found in fetuses with trisomy of chromosomes 13, 18 and 21 by identifying the most frequent within each condition. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study with the analysis of trisomy cases of chromosomes 13, 18 and 21 diagnosed through fetal karyotype obtained by amniocentesis/cordocentesis, between October 1994 and May 2014, at a Teaching Hospital in Brazil Southern Region. Malformations identified through morphological ultrasonography were described and, subsequently, confirmed in newborn examinations and/or fetal autopsy. The results were analyzed using Fisher's test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), with a 5% level of significance (p=0.05). RESULTS: Sixty-nine cases of trisomy were diagnosed among 840 exams; nine were excluded due to outcome outside Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre or incomplete records, remaining 60 cases (nine cases of chromosome 13 trisomy, 26 of chromosome 18, and 25 of chromosome 21). In all three groups, heart disease occurred in most cases; the ventricular septal defect was more prevalent and occurred in 66.7% of the trisomy 13 group. Gastrointestinal abnormalities were more prevalent in the trisomy 18 group, especially omphalocele (38.5%; p<0.01). Genitourinary anomalies were more significantly frequent in the trisomy 13 group (pyelectasis, 55.6% - p<0.01; ambiguous genitalia, 33.3% - p=0.01). Central nervous system defects were identified in all cases of trisomy 13. Facial cracks were significantly more prevalent among fetuses with trisomy 13 (66.7%; p<0.01). Hand and feet malformations significantly differed among the trisomy groups. Hand defects occurred in 50% of trisomy 18 cases, and in 44.4% of all trisomy 13 cases (p<0.01); congenital clubfoot was more common in the trisomy 18 group, being detected in 46.2% of fetuses (p<0.01). The abnormalities were found in 50.9, 27.3 and 21.7% of trisomy 18, 13 and 21 cases respectively. CONCLUSION: Many fetal malformations identified at ultrasound are suggestive of trisomy and represent an important tool for etiologic diagnosis and prenatal and pre-conception genetic counseling.

Prevalência das malformações congênitas identificadas em fetos com trissomia dos cromossomos 13, 18 e 21 / Prevalence of congenital abnormalities identified in fetuses with 13, 18 and 21 chromosomal trisomy

OBJETIVO: Descrever a prevalência das malformações encontradas nos fetos com trissomia dos cromossomos 13, 18 e 21, identificando as mais frequentes em cada condição. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal retrospectivo, com análise dos casos de trissomias dos cromossomos 13, 18 e 21 que foram diagnosticados pelo cariótipo fetal obtido por amniocentese/cordocentese, entre outubro de 1994 e maio de 2014, em um Hospital de Ensino da região Sul do Brasil. Foram descritas as malformações identificadas no exame ultrassonográfico morfológico e, posteriormente, confirmadas em exames do recém-nascido e/ou por necropsia fetal. Os resultados foram analisados por meio do teste de Fisher e da análise de variância (ANOVA). O nível de significância empregado foi 5% (p=0,05). RESULTADOS: Em 840 exames realizados, foram diagnosticados 69 casos de trissomias; nove deles foram excluídos por desfecho ocorrido fora do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre ou prontuário incompleto, restando 60 casos (nove de trissomia do cromossomo 13, 26 do cromossomo 18 e 25 do cromossomo 21). As cardiopatias ocorreram, na maioria dos casos, nos três grupos; a comunicação interventricular foi mais prevalente, em 66,7% do grupo da trissomia 13. As anomalias gastrintestinais aconteceram mais no grupo da trissomia 18, principalmente a onfalocele (38,5%; p<0,01). As anomalias geniturinárias foram significativamente mais frequentes no grupo da trissomia 13 (pielectasia com 55,6% - p<0,01; genitália ambígua com 33,3% - p=0,01). Defeitos do sistema nervoso central foram identificados em todos os casos de trissomia 13. Fendas faciais foram mais prevalentes dentre os fetos com trissomia 13 (66,7%; p<0,01). Malformações nas mãos e nos pés tiveram diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos de trissomia. Os defeitos nas mãos ocorreram em 50% dos casos de trissomia 18 e em 44,4% dos casos de 13 (p<0,01); pé torto congênito foi mais comum no grupo da trissomia 18, descrito em 46,2% dos ...

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence of malformations found in fetuses with trisomy of chromosomes 13, 18 and 21 by identifying the most frequent within each condition. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study with the analysis of trisomy cases of chromosomes 13, 18 and 21 diagnosed through fetal karyotype obtained by amniocentesis/cordocentesis, between October 1994 and May 2014, at a Teaching Hospital in Brazil Southern Region. Malformations identified through morphological ultrasonography were described and, subsequently, confirmed in newborn examinations and/or fetal autopsy. The results were analyzed using Fisher's test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), with a 5% level of significance (p=0.05). RESULTS: Sixty-nine cases of trisomy were diagnosed among 840 exams; nine were excluded due to outcome outside Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre or incomplete records, remaining 60 cases (nine cases of chromosome 13 trisomy, 26 of chromosome 18, and 25 of chromosome 21). In all three groups, heart disease occurred in most cases; the ventricular septal defect was more prevalent and occurred in 66.7% of the trisomy 13 group. Gastrointestinal abnormalities were more prevalent in the trisomy 18 group, especially omphalocele (38.5%; p<0.01). Genitourinary anomalies were more significantly frequent in the trisomy 13 group (pyelectasis, 55.6% - p<0.01; ambiguous genitalia, 33.3% - p=0.01). Central nervous system defects were identified in all cases of trisomy 13. Facial cracks were significantly more prevalent among fetuses with trisomy 13 (66.7%; p<0.01). Hand and feet malformations significantly differed among the trisomy groups. Hand defects occurred in 50% of trisomy 18 cases, and in 44.4% of all trisomy 13 cases (p<0.01); congenital clubfoot was more common in the trisomy 18 group, being detected in 46.2% of fetuses (p<0.01). The abnormalities were found in 50.9, 27.3 and 21.7% of trisomy 18, 13 and 21 cases respectively. ...

Enzyme Replacement Therapy With Elosulfase Alfa Decreases Storage of Glycosaminoglycan in White Blood Cells of Patients With Morquio A Syndrome

Abstract Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA; Morquio A syndrome) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficient N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase activity, leading to cellular storage of undegraded keratan sulfate. Recently enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) was approved for MPS IVA, but some of ERT effects are still unknown. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of elosulfase alfa upon glycosaminoglycan (GAG) storage in peripheral blood white blood cells of patients with MPS IVA treated for 6 months, comparing samples from patients who received weekly infusions of enzyme (ERT-W) versus infusions every other week (ERT-EOW) versus placebo. A significant reduction in GAG storage was observed in both ERT-treated groups, with weekly ERT showing slightly better performance than ERT-EOW.

Fast and robust protocol for prenatal diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type II

Introduction: Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPSII) is an X-linked lysosomal disorder caused by deficiency of iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS). In this study, we proposed a new protocol for prenatal diagnosis, using DNA obtained from amniotic fluid cells that did not attach to the bottom of the culture flask after the first medium change. Methods: Four pregnant MPS II carriers were referred to the Medical Genetics Service of Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre for a prenatal diagnosis and identification of the disease, which were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, restriction fragment length polymorphism, and sequencing according to the mutation previously found in the family. Results: The analysis indicated the absence of mutation in three fetal materials and the presence of mutation in one case. Concomitantly, cytogenetic and biochemical analyses were performed after 12 days of cell culture, and only one case showed absence of enzyme activity, confirming the molecular analysis. Conclusions: This diagnostic protocol designed to provide more robust results and safer genetic counseling suggests that DNA obtained from floating amniotic fluid cells can be used as a source of fetal material to allow a faster alternative for prenatal care through molecular analysis. Determination of IDS gene mutation in fetal amniotic fluid cells together with IDS enzyme activity testing is a rapid, sensitive and accurate method for prenatal diagnosis of MPS II for high-risk pregnant women.

Molecular cytogenetic evaluation of chromosomal microdeletions: the experience of a public hospital in Southern Brazil

Introduction: During the past few decades, the number of diseases identified to be caused by chromosomal microdeletions has increased quickly, bringing a new and crucial role for cytogenetics on the diagnosis of these conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize chromosomal microdeletions associated with malformation syndromes and intellectual disability. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of samples from a cohort of 598 subjects with clinical symptoms of a microdeletion syndrome, including the deletion of chromosomes 4p16.3, 5p15.2, 5q35, 7q11.23, 8q24.12, 15q11.2, 16p13.3, 17p13.3, 17p11.2,2, and 22q11.2, as investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) was performed on 25 samples with microdeletions. Results: A total of 598 samples were evaluated from patients whose clinical phenotypes were most indicative of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (29.10%), Prader-Willi syndrome (23.41%), Angelman syndrome (16.89%), and Williams-Beuren syndrome (14.72%). In 142 of the samples (23.75%), a chromosomal imbalance associated with phenotypic abnormalities was found. The deletion of 7q11.23 was the most frequent (8.03%), followed by del22q11.2 (5.68%) and del15q11.2 (5%). Conclusion: Our study reinforces the idea that the effort to improve the capacity to perform molecular cytogenetic investigations associated with a qualified clinical evaluation is crucial for the detection and precise characterization of submicroscopic chromosome deletions, bringing benefits to patients, relatives, and genetic counselors. It also contributes to the continuing education of cytogeneticists and to the knowledge of chromosomal rearrangements associated with genomic disorders.

Placental mesenchymal dysplasia and intrauterine fetal growth restriction with doppler velocimetry alterations: a case report

Placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) is a rare placental abnormality. We report a case of PMD associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which was diagnosed by an ultrasound scan during the second trimester of pregnancy. A 36-year-old primiparous woman with signs of placental chorioangioma was referred to our hospital at the 23th gestational week. An ultrasonography revealed a small-for-gestational-age fetus with a large multicystic placenta. A serial Doppler sonographic assessment of umbilical and uterine artery blood flow showed a compromised fetus. A female, small-for-gestational-age baby was delivered by c-section at 28 weeks, and PMD was histopathologically confirmed

Estudo citogenético das gônadas em pacientes com amenorréia primária / Gonadal cytogenetic analysis in patients with primary amenorrhea

INTRODUÇAO: pacientes em amenorréia primária com disgenesia gonadal têm níveis elevados de gonadotrofinas e necessitam de avaliação cromossômica. O estudo citogenético (cariótipo) pode ser realizado na gônada ou no sangue periférico. Nos casos de amenorréia primária sem sinal de virilização, a necessidade de investigação adicional do cariótipo da gônada não está estabelecida. OBJETIVO: revisar os cariótipos de gônadas (ovários) de mulheres com amenorréia primária e compará-los com os resultados do cariótipo no sangue periférico, relacionando-os às características fenotípicas das pacientes. MÉTODOS: foram analisados retrospectivamente os dados clínicos e os cariótipos de doze pacientes atendidas no período de janeiro de 1997 a dezembro de 2003 no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. RESULTADOS: nas pacientes incluídas, quando o motivo da investigação foi amenorréia primária sem sinal de virilização, o cariótipo da gônada foi concordante com o cariótipo do sangue periférico nos oito casos avaliados (sete pacientes com cariótipo 46XX e uma paciente com cariótipo 46XY). A paciente oito foi a única com sinal de virilização (hipertrofia de clitóris) e o único caso de cariótipos discordantes. CONCLUSAO: este estudo sugere que o cariótipo de gônada não traz informação adicional ao cariótipo do sangue periférico nas pacientes com amenorréia primária sem sinais de virilização. Até o momento todos os trabalhos publicados tiveram número pequeno de pacientes. A análise da relação custo-benefício pode permitir redução de estresse psicológico para paciente e familiares, bem como redução de custos para as instituições.

Investigation of lysosomal storage diseases in nonimmune hydrops fetalis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate lysosomal storage diseases (LSD) in cases of nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF). METHODS: Thirty-three cases of NIHF were investigated, 28 in the prenatal period and 5 in hydropic newborns. In addition to a general investigation for NIHF, specific enzymatic analyses for the detection of LSD were performed. RESULTS: In our sample, we detected five patients (15%) with LSD, each patient having one of the following diseases: mucolipidosis, Niemann-Pick disease, galactosialidosis, sialidosis and mucopolysaccharidosis type IV A. CONCLUSION: Although LSDs are rare disorders as a group, they should be considered as a possible cause of NIHF, even in the absence of consanguinity or of a previous family history. By excluding the more frequent causes of NIHF, an LSD investigation assists in clarifying the etiology of many hydropic cases, making more appropriate genetic counseling for parents possible.