Turner syndrome associated with Down syndrome: about a case / Síndrome Turner asociado a síndrome Down: a propósito de un caso

The coexistence of double aneuploidy of Down and Turner syndromes is rare; most cases have been due to double mitotic errors. The objective of the study was to report a case with monosomy of the X chromosome and trisomy of chromosome 21, in mosaic variety, highlighting the phenotypic effect that the presence of different chromosomal abnormalities can produce and compare with those reported in the literature. A 10-year-old Ecuadorian female, born to a multipregnant mother with 46 years at conception, is seen in consultation with a predominant clinical phenotype of Down syndrome, associated with menarche, presence of pubic and axillary villu, where a karyotype is verified 45 X[7]/47XX+ 21 [3]/46, X, der (X)(: p11.1-> q11.1)[1]/46,XX [1]. The present case is a double Turner-Down aneuploidy, with predominantly X monosomy cell line, who shows important mental retardation and some signs of puberal development not usually in Turner syndrome. These features highlight the clinical importance of doing a karyotype in mental retardation cases and searching low mosaics of another aneuploidies in atypical cases. Its complex chromosomal formula and support with molecular cytogenetics allowed diagnostic confirmation and genetic counseling.

La coexistencia de doble aneuploidía de los síndromes de Down y Turner es rara; la mayoría de los casos se han debido a dobles errores mitóticos. Reportar un caso con trisomía del cromosoma 21 y monosomía del cromosoma en X, en variedad mosaico, que curiosamente presenta un despertar puberal precoz y comparar con los reportados en la literatura. Paciente ecuatoriana de sexo femenino, de 10 años de edad, nacida de madre multigesta con 46 años a la concepción, que es vista en consulta con fenotipo clínico predominante de Síndrome Down, asociado a menarquia y telarquia, donde se constata un cariotipo. El presente caso es el primero informado de mosaicismo de doble aneuploidía de Turner-Down asociado con un despertar puberal precoz. Su fórmula cromosómica compleja y el apoyo con la citogenética molecular permitió la confirmación diagnostica y la asesoría genética.

Variantes citogenéticas en pacientes con síndrome de Turner diagnosticadas en un hospital de tercer nivel de atención en Ecuador / Cytogenetic variants in patients with Turner syndrome diagnosed in a third level care hospital in Ecuador

Resumen Introducción: El Síndrome de Turner (ST) es una alteración cromosómica sexual causada por la ausencia parcial o completa del cromosoma X, además de mosaicismos y otras alteraciones estructurales del cromosoma X o Y; está presente en 1 de 2500 nacidas vivas. Objetivo: Describir las variantes citogenéticas de pacientes con síndrome de Turner y evaluar su asociación con el fenotipo de presentación y la edad del diagnóstico. Método: Estudio retrospectivo de corte transversal de una serie de 82 casos de síndrome de Turner. Los cariotipos fueron realizados utilizando el medio RPMI-1640; las preparaciones de cromosomas se obtuvieron utilizando técnicas estándar y se analizaron mediante bandas GTG con una resolución de 400-450 bandas, donde se contó con 20-50 metafases para reducir la probabilidad de no detección de mosaicismo. Resultados: 45 (55.6%) fueron diagnosticadas, con monosomía clásica del cromosoma X, mientras 29 (35,8%) mostraron anomalías estructurales del cromosoma X y 7 (8,6%) se asociaron a mosaicos numéricos del cromosoma X. Solo 21 (26%) pacientes fueron diagnosticadas por debajo de los 12 años, mientras el resto 60 (74%) se detectaron entre la adolescencia y la adultez. La baja estatura fue una característica universal en todos los grupos de estudio. Conclusiones: Las fórmulas cromosómicas en el síndrome de Turner pueden ser muy variadas y tener diversas implicaciones en el fenotipo; se destaca la baja talla como un criterio clínico relevante en la sospecha clínica.

Abstract Introduction: Turner Syndrome (TS) is a sexual chromosomal alteration caused by the partial or complete absence of the X chromosome, in addition to mosaicisms and other structural alterations of the X or Y chromosome; It is present in 1 in 2,500 live births. Objective: To describe the cytogenetic variants of Turner syndrome patients and to evaluate their association with the phenotype at presentation and age at diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of a series of 82 cases of Turner syndrome. Karyotypes were performed using RPMI-1640 medium; Chromosome preparations were obtained using standard techniques and analyzed by GTG banding with a resolution of 400-450 bands where 20-50 metaphases were counted to reduce the probability of missing mosaicism. Results: 45 (55.6%) were diagnosed with classic monosomy of the X chromosome, while 29 (35.8%) showed structural abnormalities of the X chromosome and 7 (8.6%) were associated with numerical mosaics of the X chromosome. Only 21 (26%) patients were diagnosed under 12 years of age, while the rest 60 (74%) were detected between adolescence and adulthood. Short stature was a universal characteristic in all study groups. Conclusions: The chromosomal formulas in Turner syndrome can be variable and have different implications in the phenotype; short stature stands out as a relevant clinical criterion in clinical suspicion.

Multi-institutional experience of genetic diagnosis in Ecuador: National registry of chromosome alterations and polymorphisms.

BACKGROUND: Detection of chromosomal abnormalities is crucial in various medical areas; to diagnose birth defects, genetic disorders, and infertility, among other complex phenotypes, in individuals across a wide range of ages. Hence, the present study wants to contribute to the knowledge of type and frequency of chromosomal alterations and polymorphisms in Ecuador. METHODS: Cytogenetic registers from different Ecuadorian provinces have been merged and analyzed to construct an open-access national registry of chromosome alterations and polymorphisms. RESULTS: Of 28,806 karyotypes analyzed, 6,008 (20.9%) exhibited alterations. Down syndrome was the most frequent autosome alteration (88.28%), followed by Turner syndrome (60.50%), a gonosome aneuploidy. A recurrent high percentage of Down syndrome mosaicism (7.45%) reported here, as well as by previous Ecuadorian preliminary registries, could be associated with geographic location and admixed ancestral composition. Translocations (2.46%) and polymorphisms (7.84%) were not as numerous as autosomopathies (64.33%) and gonosomopathies (25.37%). Complementary to conventional cytogenetics tests, molecular tools have allowed identification of submicroscopic alterations regions or candidate genes which can be possibly implicated in patients' symptoms and phenotypes. CONCLUSION: The Ecuadorian National Registry of Chromosome Alterations and Polymorphisms provides a baseline to better understand chromosomal abnormalities in Ecuador and therefore their clinical management and awareness. This data will guide public policy makers to promote and financially support cytogenetic and genetic testing.

Varones 46, XX: a propósito de dos casos genéticamente distintos / Males 46, XX: Presentation of Two Genetically Different Cases

Introducción Los desórdenes de diferenciación sexual son condiciones clínicas en las que existe una discrepancia entre el sexo cromosómico y el sexo fenotípico de un individuo. Esas condiciones suelen resultar angustiantes para los pacientes y sus familias e incluso para el equipo médico tratante debido a la dificultad en diagnosticarlas. Objetivo Presentar las características clínicas, genéticas y hormonales de dos varones con desórdenes de diferenciación sexual. Método Se realizó un estudio descriptivo basado en la revisión y análisis de datos de la historia clínica y la confrontación de los resultados con reportes similares. Resultados Se observaron dos individuos con fenotipo masculino y diagnóstico de hipogonadismo hipergonadotrófico con cariotipo 46, XX. El primer caso presentó testes pequeños y azoospermia, mientras que el segundo caso presentó baja talla, criptorquidea bilateral congénita y escrotos hipoplásicos. En ambos pacientes se exploró la presencia del gen SRY, confirmando su presencia en el primer caso y ausencia en el segundo caso. Conclusiones El diagnóstico genético-molecular actual apela a la combinación de técnicas tradicionales junto a técnicas modernas, como secuenciación por paneles genéticos a fin de identificar etiológicamente los desórdenes de diferenciación sexual. La presentación de esos casos aún se considera rara debido a su baja tasa de frecuencia poblacional, por lo que su reporte siempre resultará útil a la comunidad científica ya que muestran las distintas formas de presentación clínica y el manejo multidisciplinario de esos casos en diferentes contextos clínicos

Introduction Disorders of Sexual Development are clinical conditions in which a discrepancy between the chromosomal sex and the phenotypic sex occurs in an individual. These conditions are often distressing for patients and their families and even for the medical team due to the difficulty of diagnosing them. Objective The aim of this study was to present the clinical, genetic and hormonal characteristics of two males with sexual differentiation disorders. Method A descriptive study was performed based on the review and analysis of the clinical history data and the comparison of the results with similar cases reported. Results Two individuals with a male phenotype and a diagnosis of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with 46, XX karyotype were observed. The first case presented small testes and azoospermia, while the second case presented low height, congenital bilateral cryptorchid and hypoplastic scrotums. The SRY gene was explored in both patients, and it was confirmed its presence in the first case and its absence in the second case. Conclusions The current molecular-genetic diagnosis calls for the combination of traditional techniques combined with modern techniques, such as the genetic panel sequencing, to identify etiologically the Disorders of Sexual Development. The presentation of these cases is even considered rare because of their low population frequency rate, so their report is always useful to the scientific community, for they show the different ways of the clinical disease presentation and the multidisciplinary management of these cases in different clinical contexts.