High carrier frequency of CYP21A2 gene mutations in Southern India - underscoring the need for genetic testing in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is one of the highly prevalent autosomal recessive endocrine disorders. The majority of CAH cases result from mutations in the CYP21A2 gene, leading to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. However, with the pseudogene-associated challenges in CYP21A2 gene analysis, routine genetic diagnostics and carrier screening in CAH are not a part of the first-tier investigations in a clinical setting. Furthermore, there is a lack of data on the carrier frequency for 21-OH deficiency. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the carrier frequency of common pseudogene derived CYP21A2 mutations in Southern India. METHODS: Recently, a cost-effective Allele-specific PCR based genotyping for CYP21A2 hotspot mutations has been demonstrated to be a highly specific and sensitive assay at the authors' center. Leveraging this approach, a total of 1034 healthy individuals from South India underwent screening to identify the carrier frequency of nine hotspot mutations in the CYP21A2 gene. RESULTS: In this study, it was observed that 9.76% of the subjects were carriers for one or more of the nine different CYP21A2 mutations. Among the carriers, the most common was the large 30 kb deletion, followed by II72N, E6 CLUS, and I2G mutations. CONCLUSION: We have identified a high prevalence of CYP21A2 mutation carriers in Southern India. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing and expanding cost-effective genetic diagnostics and carrier screening throughout India. Such initiatives would play a crucial role in managing the disease burden, enabling early intervention, and establishing guidelines for CAH newborn genetic screening in the country. This study represents the first carrier screening data on CYP21A2 hotspot mutations from India and is the largest study conducted till date in this context.

Exploration of clinical and genetic findings in Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT) patients from the Indian subcontinent.

BACKGROUND: Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT) is a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder. It is caused by mutations in the Ataxia-Telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene, which codes for protein ATM serine/threonine kinase. OBJECTIVE: We aim to describe the clinical and radiological findings in children and adolescents of 20 molecularly confirmed cases of AT. We aim to correlate these findings with the genotype identified among them. METHODS: This retrospective study included 20 patients diagnosed clinically and genetically with AT over 10 years. The clinical, radiological and laboratory data were extracted from the hospital's electronic medical records. Molecular testing was done using next generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing. In silico predictions were performed for the variants identified by applying Cryp-Skip, Splice site prediction by Neural Network, Mutation Taster and Hope prediction tool. RESULTS: Consanguinity was documented in nearly half of the patients. Telangiectasia was absent in 10%. Microcephaly was seen in 40% cases. The incidence of malignancy in our study population was low. Molecular testing done in the 18 families (20 patients) identified 23 variants of which ten were novel. Biallelic homozygous variants were noted in 13 families and compound heterozygous in 5 families. Out of the 13 families who were homozygous, 8 families (61.5%) (9 patients) have history of consanguinity. In silico prediction of novel missense variants, NM_000051.4 (ATM_v201): c.2702T > C showed disruption of the α-helix of ATM protein and NM_000051.4 (ATM_v201): c.6679C > G is expected to disturb the rigidity of protein structure in the FAT domain. The four novel splice site variants and two intronic variants result in exon skipping as predicted by Cryp-Skip. CONCLUSIONS: AT should be confirmed by molecular testing in young-onset cerebellar ataxia, even without telangiectasia. Awareness of this rare disease will facilitate study of larger cohorts from Indian population to characterize variants and determine its prevalence in this population.

Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis: Report of Two Siblings With the Same Mutation but Variable Presentation.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), also known as CTX, is an extremely rare bile acid metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A member 1 (CYP27A1) gene. This genetic disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, and it affects the enzyme sterol 27-hydroxylase, which is involved in the bile acid metabolic process. It is distinguished by diarrhoea in infancy, early juvenile cataract, tendon xanthomas in adolescence, and progressive neuropsychiatric dysfunction in adulthood. So far, India has reported eight genetically confirmed cases. We present two cases of CTX among siblings in a family. The elder sibling was initially diagnosed, and after reviewing his family history and performing a thorough clinical examination, we discovered a similar manifestation in his younger sibling. Genetic testing on the siblings revealed similar mutations at exon 2 of the CYP27A1 gene. If a pathogenic mutation is discovered in a family member, prenatal and preimplantation genetic testing, as well as childhood screening, are the options. These screening strategies will prevent the onset of neuropsychiatric manifestations and disability.

Novel Mutations in CRLF1: Case Reports with Crisponi Syndrome.

Crisponi syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome, characterized by episodic facial muscle contraction with trismus, abundant salivation along with intermittent hyperthermia, feeding difficulties, characteristic facial dysmorphism, and camptodactyly. Here the authors report two South Indian neonates with confirmed diagnosis of Crisponi syndrome, caused by novel pathogenic variants in cytokine receptor-like factor 1 (CRLF1) gene. The classical clinical findings observed in the present cases were feeding difficulty, facial dysmorphism, tachypnea, contractures, camptodactyly, opisthotonus, hyperthermia, poor growth, and facial muscle contraction resembling probable tetanus. The patients with variants identified in the signal peptide domain had typical spasms from day one of life as compared to the variants in other domains who had later onset at neonatal period. The authors provide a review of the cases described, so far, from India highlighting that no common variants attribute to this rare syndrome. Recognizing this syndrome is crucial to differentiate it from infective conditions and for effective genetic counseling. Though tetanus is almost eradicated in developing countries, genetic causes should be suspected in new cases.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic thyroidectomy, initially an experimental procedure, is now being performed in increasing frequency. It aims to provide patients undergoing thyroidectomy with a 'scar-free' surgery. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy is one such novel procedure that is based on the principles of natural orifice translumenal surgery (NOTES) and allows for a truly scar-free surgery with minimal dissection. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 21-year-old female presented with a swelling over the left side of her neck. Ultrasound revealed a solitary nodule and FNAC showed features suggestive of a follicular adenoma. DISCUSSION: The patient underwent transoral endoscopic hemi-thyroidectomy. The procedure lasted for 2h and is one of the few documented cases of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy performed on live patients. CONCLUSION: Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy is proving to be a feasible technique with little or no complications as compared to other endoscopic thyroid surgeries. It provides surgeons with easy access to the thyroid gland and patients with aesthetically pleasing results.

In vitro activity of antibiotic combinations against multidrug-resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and the effects of their antibiotic resistance determinants.

Various combinations of antibiotics are reported to show synergy in treating nosocomial infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii). Here, we studied hospital-acquired outbreak strains of MDR A. baumannii to evaluate optimal combinations of antibiotics. One hundred and twenty-one strains were grouped into one major and one minor clonal group based on repetitive PCR amplification. Twenty representative strains were tested for antibiotic synergy using Etest(®). Five strains were further analyzed by analytical isoelectric focusing and PCR to identify ß-lactamase genes or other antibiotic resistance determinants. Our investigation showed that the outbreak strains of MDR A. baumannii belonged to two dominant clones. A combination of colistin and doxycycline showed the best result, being additive or synergistic against 70% of tested strains. Antibiotic additivity was observed more frequently than synergy. Strains possessing the same clonality did not necessarily demonstrate the same response to antibiotic combinations in vitro. We conclude that the effect of antibiotic combinations on our outbreak strains of MDR A. baumannii seemed strain-specific. The bacterial response to antibiotic combinations is probably a result of complex interactions between multiple concomitant antibiotic resistance determinants in each strain.

Implications for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus colonization associated with Clostridium difficile infections.

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonization of the gastrointestinal tract shares similar risk factors with Clostridium difficile infection. We sought to elucidate the prevalence and risk factors of VRE colonization associated with C difficile infection. METHODS: All adult inpatients with C difficile infection from July 2006 to October 2006 were prospectively evaluated. All C difficile toxin-positive stool samples were screened for detection of VRE. Risk factors for VRE colonization were compared in patients with C difficile infection with and without VRE colonization. RESULTS: Of the 158 cases of C difficile infection evaluated, 88 (55.7%) involved VRE colonization. Independent risk factors for VRE colonization were admission from long-term care facilities (P = .013), dementia (P = .017), and hospitalization in the previous 2 months (P = .014). No statistically significant difference between C difficile infection cases with and without VRE colonization in terms of previous receipt (within 1 month) of antibiotics, including metronidazole and vancomycin, was found on multivariate analysis. C difficile infection cases with VRE colonization had a higher prevalence of coinfection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (P = .002) and Acinetobacter spp (P = .006). CONCLUSION: VRE colonization was associated with >50% of C difficile infection cases and with a higher rate of coinfection with multidrug-resistant pathogens. Given the high rate of C difficile infection associated with VRE colonization, active surveillance of VRE in patients with C difficile infection is reasonable in high-risk settings.

Comparison of clinical severity score indices for Clostridium difficile infection.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 8 severity score indices for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: This study was conducted from July through October 2006. All hospitalized patients in 3 university-affiliated hospitals with a positive fecal Clostridium difficile toxin assay result were evaluated. Infection was considered severe if patients had at least 1 of the following clinical events during their hospitalization: (1) death attributed to CDI within 30 days after diagnosis, (2) colectomy necessitated by CDI, or (3) intensive care unit admission for management of complications attributed to CDI. Severity was assessed on the basis of 8 severity score indices, using published criteria for severe CDI as the benchmark. The 8 severity score indices studied were Beth Israel, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center version 1, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center version 2, Hines VA, modified University of Illinois, University of Calgary version 1, University of Calgary version 2, and University of Temple. RESULTS: Of 184 patients with CDI evaluated, 19 had severe cases and 165 had nonsevere cases, as assessed on the basis of the defined severe CDI criteria. Sensitivities of the 8 severity score indices studied ranged from 63.2% to 84.2%, and specificities ranged from 59.4% to 93.9%. The Hines VA index had the highest kappa score (0.69 [95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.83]), followed by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center version 1 index. Independent risk factors for severe CDI determined by multivariate analysis were abdominal distention (P = .007), fever (temperature, 38.0°C or above; P = .042), white blood cell count of at least 20,000 cells/mm(3) (P = .035), and hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin level less than 3 mg/dL; P = .029). CONCLUSION: The Hines VA CDI severity score index appeared to display the strongest correlation for predicting more severe forms of CDI.

Resistance to colistin in Acinetobacter baumannii associated with mutations in the PmrAB two-component system.

The mechanism of colistin resistance (Col(r)) in Acinetobacter baumannii was studied by selecting in vitro Col(r) derivatives of the multidrug-resistant A. baumannii isolate AB0057 and the drug-susceptible strain ATCC 17978, using escalating concentrations of colistin in liquid culture. DNA sequencing identified mutations in genes encoding the two-component system proteins PmrA and/or PmrB in each strain and in a Col(r) clinical isolate. A colistin-susceptible revertant of one Col(r) mutant strain, obtained following serial passage in the absence of colistin selection, carried a partial deletion of pmrB. Growth of AB0057 and ATCC 17978 at pH 5.5 increased the colistin MIC and conferred protection from killing by colistin in a 1-hour survival assay. Growth in ferric chloride [Fe(III)] conferred a small protective effect. Expression of pmrA was increased in Col(r) mutants, but not at a low pH, suggesting that additional regulatory factors remain to be discovered.