Infant Botulism, Israel, 2007-2021.

Infant botulism (IB) is an intestinal toxemia that manifests as descending paralysis, constipation, and, in some cases, respiratory failure. Laboratory-confirmed IB cases are rare, and recent data in Israel are lacking. We conducted a national multicenter retrospective study of laboratory-confirmed IB cases reported in Israel during 2007-2021. A total of 8 cases were reported during the study period. During 2019-2021, incidence may have increased because of a cluster of 5 cases. Infant median age for diagnosis was 6.5 months, older than previously reported (3 months). Most cases occurred during March-July. Honey consumption was reported in 1 case, and possible environmental risk factors (living nearby rural or construction areas, dust exposure, and having a father who works as a farmer) were reported in 6 cases. Although IB is rare, its incidence in Israel may have increased over recent years, and its epidemiology and risk factors differ from cases reported previously in Israel.

Clinical improvement of a toddler with COVID-19 focal cerebral arteriopathy possibly due to intra-arterial nimodipine.

Pediatric stroke is considered an infrequent complication of COVID-19. Focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA) is one of the most common causes of arterial ischemic stroke in a previously healthy child. The present report describes a toddler with FCA most likely induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection who showed significant clinical improvement that may be related to injection of intra-arterial nimodipine. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of nimodipine in this setting.

Rheumatic fever in a developed country - is it still relevant? A retrospective, 25 years follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Our aims were to clinically and epidemiologically characterize rheumatic fever (RF) in the current era in Israel. Although there has been a steady decline in the incidence of RF in the western world, evidence of disease resurgence in developed countries continues to be published. The paucity of recent epidemiological data prompted our study. METHODS: Medical files were retrospectively reviewed for all children with RF in our tertiary pediatric university-affiliated hospital from 1993 to 2017. Main outcome measures were patients and disease related characteristics, incidence trends, risk factors, disease course, relapse rates and secondary prophylaxis. RESULTS: The cohort included 307 children. Sixty-four percent presented with arthritis, interestingly including hips and small joints of hands and feet at presentation, 52% presented with carditis. Severe carditis developed in 31 patients (19.5%), of whom 21 (13.2% of all carditis patients) acquired heart failure, 5 required intensive care monitoring, with one recent death. The percentage of patients with acute carditis of the overall RF patients remained relatively stable. Thirty-two patients (10% of patients with RF) relapsed, including 11 with a cardiac relapse (3.6% of all cardiac patients). The recurrence rate of RF continued to rise up to 9 years from the initial episode. One of 147 patients (< 0.7%) with a non-cardiac initial presentation had carditis at relapse. CONCLUSION: RF and rheumatic heart disease remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality including developed countries, with relapse rate continuing after 9 years of prophylaxis. Presentation of small joints as well as hips, although uncommon, should not exclude the diagnosis.

The phenotype of homozygous EMC10 variant: A new syndrome with intellectual disability and language impairment.

AIM: To explore the cognitive and behavioral phenotype associated with a recently reported variant in endoplasmic reticulum membrane complex EMC10 c.287delG (Gly96Alafs∗9), suggested to cause a novel syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder. METHODS: Homozygous EMC10 variant identified by a combination of autozygosity mapping and exome sequencing was found in five children (aged 7-18) from a large extended family. Their functioning was compared to normative data as well as to that of age-matched relatives (siblings/cousins), sharing similar familial and demographic characteristics. Neuropsychological, behavioral, and daily functioning were assessed. RESULTS: Performance of all participants with EMC10 variant on both cognitive functioning and adaptive skills was lower than the normal range fulfilling diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability. Their functioning was also lower than that of their matched relatives on most areas of functioning, except visual memory that was found higher, in the low average range. Language difficulty was apparent in all participants with EMC10, and a discrepancy within participants' phenotype was found, with lower verbal abilities compared to visuospatial ability. More behavioral problems were found, although not in all participants with EMC10. CONCLUSION: Homozygous EMC10 variant was found associated with a phenotype of intellectual disability and language deficits.

A New Mechanism in THRA Resistance: The First Disease-Associated Variant Leading to an Increased Inhibitory Function of THRA2.

The nuclear thyroid hormone receptors (THRs) are key mediators of thyroid hormone function on the cellular level via modulation of gene expression. Two different genes encode THRs (THRA and THRB), and are pleiotropically involved in development, metabolism, and growth. The THRA1 and THRA2 isoforms, which result from alternative splicing of THRA, differ in their C-terminal ligand-binding domain (LBD). Most published disease-associated THRA variants are located in the LBD of THRA1 and impede triiodothyronine (T3) binding. This keeps the nuclear receptor in an inactive state and inhibits target gene expression. Here, we investigated a new dominant THRA variant (chr17:g.38,241,010A > G, GRCh37.13 | c.518A > G, NM_199334 | p.(E173G), NP_955366), which is located between the DNA- and ligand-binding domains and affects both splicing isoforms. Patients presented partially with hypothyroid (intellectual disability, motor developmental delay, brain atrophy, and constipation) and partially with hyperthyroid symptoms (tachycardia and behavioral abnormalities) to varying degrees. Functional characterization of THRA1p.(E173G) by reporter gene assays revealed increased transcriptional activity in contrast to THRA1(WT), unexpectedly revealing the first gain-of-function mutation found in THRA1. The THRA2 isoform does not bind T3 and antagonizes THRA1 action. Introduction of p.(E173G) into THRA2 increased its inhibitory effect on THRA1, which helps to explain the hypothyroid symptoms seen in our patients. We used protein structure models to investigate possible underlying pathomechanisms of this variant with a gain-of-antagonistic function and suggest that the p.(E173G) variant may have an influence on the dimerization domain of the nuclear receptor.

Deletion in COL4A2 is associated with a three-generation variable phenotype: from fetal to adult manifestations.

Genetic alterations in COL4A2 are less common than those of COL4A1 and their fetal phenotype has not been described to date. We describe a three-generation family with an intragenic deletion in COL4A2 associated with a prenatal diagnosis of recurrent fetal intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and a myriad of cerebrovascular manifestations. Exome sequencing, co-segregation analysis, and imaging studies were conducted on eight family members including two fetuses with antenatal ICH. Histopathological evaluation was performed on the terminated fetuses. An intragenic heterozygous pathogenic in-frame deletion; COL4A2, c.4151_4168del, (p.Thr1384_Gly1389del) was identified in both fetuses, their father with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP), as well as other family members. Postmortem histopathological examination identified microscopic foci of heterotopias and polymicrogyria. The variant segregated in affected individuals demonstrating varying degrees of penetrance and a wide phenotypic spectrum including periventricular venous hemorrhagic infarction causing hemiplegic CP, polymicrogyria, leukoencephalopathy, and lacunar stroke. We present radiographic, pathological, and genetic evidence of prenatal ICH and show, for what we believe to be the first time, a human pathological proof of polymicrogyria and heterotopias in association with a COL4A2 disease-causing variant, while illustrating the variable phenotype and partial penetrance of this disease. We highlight the importance of genetic analysis in fetal ICH and hemiplegic CP.

A recurrent, homozygous EMC10 frameshift variant is associated with a syndrome of developmental delay with variable seizures and dysmorphic features.

PURPOSE: The endoplasmic reticulum membrane complex (EMC) is a highly conserved, multifunctional 10-protein complex related to membrane protein biology. In seven families, we identified 13 individuals with highly overlapping phenotypes who harbor a single identical homozygous frameshift variant in EMC10. METHODS: Using exome, genome, and Sanger sequencing, a recurrent frameshift EMC10 variant was identified in affected individuals in an international cohort of consanguineous families. Multiple families were independently identified and connected via Matchmaker Exchange and internal databases. We assessed the effect of the frameshift variant on EMC10 RNA and protein expression and evaluated EMC10 expression in normal human brain tissue using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A homozygous variant EMC10 c.287delG (Refseq NM_206538.3, p.Gly96Alafs*9) segregated with affected individuals in each family, who exhibited a phenotypic spectrum of intellectual disability (ID) and global developmental delay (GDD), variable seizures and variable dysmorphic features (elongated face, curly hair, cubitus valgus, and arachnodactyly). The variant arose on two founder haplotypes and results in significantly reduced EMC10 RNA expression and an unstable truncated EMC10 protein. CONCLUSION: We propose that a homozygous loss-of-function variant in EMC10 causes a novel syndromic neurodevelopmental phenotype. Remarkably, the recurrent variant is likely the result of a hypermutable site and arose on distinct founder haplotypes.

The murine ortholog of Kaufman oculocerebrofacial syndrome protein Ube3b regulates synapse number by ubiquitinating Ppp3cc.

Kaufman oculocerebrofacial syndrome (KOS) is a severe autosomal recessive disorder characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delays, microcephaly, and characteristic dysmorphisms. Biallelic mutations of UBE3B, encoding for a ubiquitin ligase E3B are causative for KOS. In this report, we characterize neuronal functions of its murine ortholog Ube3b and show that Ube3b regulates dendritic branching in a cell-autonomous manner. Moreover, Ube3b knockout (KO) neurons exhibit increased density and aberrant morphology of dendritic spines, altered synaptic physiology, and changes in hippocampal circuit activity. Dorsal forebrain-specific Ube3b KO animals show impaired spatial learning, altered social interactions, and repetitive behaviors. We further demonstrate that Ube3b ubiquitinates the catalytic γ-subunit of calcineurin, Ppp3cc, the overexpression of which phenocopies Ube3b loss with regard to dendritic spine density. This work provides insights into the molecular pathologies underlying intellectual disability-like phenotypes in a genetically engineered mouse model.

Association of pediatric idiopathic intracranial hypertension with olfactory performance.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between pediatric Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and olfactory performance. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted including 17 patients under 18 years diagnosed with IIH at a tertiary hospital and 17 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects. All participants underwent the semi-objective chemosensory Sniffin' Sticks test for evaluation of odor threshold (OT), indicative of peripheral olfactory function, and odor identification (OI), reflecting higher cognitive olfactory processing. Scores were compared and referred to the updated normative values. Demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging data were collected from the medical files. The patients with IIH were reassessed for olfactory function and clinical state at the subsequent follow-up, under treatment. RESULTS: Compared to controls, the IIH group had a significantly lower mean OT score (6.41 ± 3.43 vs 10.21 ± 2.79, p = 0.001) and higher rate of OT score below the 10th percentile for age and sex according to the normative values (47.1% vs 0%, p = 0.001). There was no significant between-group difference in mean OI scores (9.82 ± 1.63, vs 10.59 ± 1.84, p = 0.290). OT scores were not associated with sex, age, body mass index, neuroimaging abnormalities, or lumbar puncture opening pressure. At the follow-up assessment, the OT scores were improved (9.36 ± 4.17 vs 6.7 ± 3.32, p = 0.027) whereas the OI scores were unchanged (9.88 ± 2.5 vs 9.69 ± 1.58, p = 0.432). CONCLUSIONS: As reported in adults, children and adolescents with IIH appear to have a selective reversible deficit in olfactory detection threshold, which may imply a reduction in peripheral olfactory perceptual ability. Future studies should examine the predictive value of olfactory function for IIH.

A new homozygous HERC1 gain-of-function variant in MDFPMR syndrome leads to mTORC1 hyperactivation and reduced autophagy during cell catabolism.

The giant 532 kDa HERC1 protein is a ubiquitin ligase that interacts with tuberous sclerosis complex subunit 2 (TSC2), a negative upstream regulator of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). TSC2 regulates anabolic cell growth through its influence on protein synthesis, cell growth, proliferation, autophagy, and differentiation. TSC subunit 1 (TSC1) stabilizes TSC2 by inhibiting the interaction between TSC2 and HERC1, forming a TSC1-TSC2 complex that negatively regulates mTORC1. HERC1-TSC2 interaction destabilizes and degrades TSC2. Recessive mutations in HERC1 have been reported in patients with intellectual disability. Some patients exhibit epilepsy, macrocephaly, somatic overgrowth, and dysmorphic facial features as well. Here we describe two sisters from a consanguineous marriage with a novel homozygous missense variant in the C-terminal HECT domain of HERC1 [chr15:g63,907,989C>G GRCh37.p11 | c.14,072G>C NM_003922 | p.(Arg4,691Pro)]. Symptoms compris global developmental delay, macrocephaly, somatic overgrowth, intellectual disability, seizures, schizoaffective disorder, and pyramidal tract signs. We functionally assessed the HERC1 mutation by investigation of patient and control fibroblasts under normal and nutrient starving conditions. During catabolic state, mTORC1 activity remained high in patient fibroblasts, which stands in stark contrast to its downregulation in controls. This was corroborated by an abnormally high phosphorylation of S6K1-kinase, a direct downstream target of mTORC1, in patients. Moreover, autophagy, usually enhanced in catabolic states, was down-regulated in patient fibroblasts. These data confirm that the missense variant found in both patients results in a gain-of-function for the mutant HERC1 protein.

Evolution of EEG Findings in Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 2A: Normal EEG in the First Few Months followed by Abnormal Tracing over the Years.

Pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) is an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebellar and pontine hypoplasia, progressive microcephaly, and developmental delay. Ten types of PCH have been described; PCH type 2A (PCH2A) due to a mutation in TSEN54 is the most frequent. Seizures have been reported in the large majority of patients. The probability of epilepsy developing increases with age, along with difficulties in differentiating seizures from dyskinetic movements. The aim of the present report was to describe the clinical symptoms and electroencephalogram (EEG) changes over time in three patients of Israeli Arab origin with PCH2A. All three, including two siblings and their first cousin, were homozygous for the TSEN54 p.A304S mutation. The patients demonstrated profound psychomotor retardation, severe spasticity and contractures, choreoathetoid movements, and seizures. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and EEGs were reviewed by an experienced neuroradiologist and epileptologist, respectively. The MRI scans revealed a dragonfly-like cerebellar pattern in all patients. Despite the normal early EEG findings, all patients had characteristic features of epilepsy, with tonic seizures starting in the first days to months followed by focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures in early childhood which continued to adolescence. In conclusion, patients with PCH2A due to the missense mutation p.A304S in TSEN54 exhibit profound psychomotor delay, movement disorders, and intractable epilepsy. An evolution of EEG abnormalities and seizure semiology occurs over time. Similar to several other genetic epileptic encephalopathies, the normal early EEG tracing does not rule out the later occurrence of epilepsy.

Variants in SCAF4 Cause a Neurodevelopmental Disorder and Are Associated with Impaired mRNA Processing.

RNA polymerase II interacts with various other complexes and factors to ensure correct initiation, elongation, and termination of mRNA transcription. One of these proteins is SR-related CTD-associated factor 4 (SCAF4), which is important for correct usage of polyA sites for mRNA termination. Using exome sequencing and international matchmaking, we identified nine likely pathogenic germline variants in SCAF4 including two splice-site and seven truncating variants, all residing in the N-terminal two thirds of the protein. Eight of these variants occurred de novo, and one was inherited. Affected individuals demonstrated a variable neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by mild intellectual disability, seizures, behavioral abnormalities, and various skeletal and structural anomalies. Paired-end RNA sequencing on blood lymphocytes of SCAF4-deficient individuals revealed a broad deregulation of more than 9,000 genes and significant differential splicing of more than 2,900 genes, indicating an important role of SCAF4 in mRNA processing. Knockdown of the SCAF4 ortholog CG4266 in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster resulted in impaired locomotor function, learning, and short-term memory. Furthermore, we observed an increased number of active zones in larval neuromuscular junctions, representing large glutamatergic synapses. These observations indicate a role of CG4266 in nervous system development and function and support the implication of SCAF4 in neurodevelopmental phenotypes. In summary, our data show that heterozygous, likely gene-disrupting variants in SCAF4 are causative for a variable neurodevelopmental disorder associated with impaired mRNA processing.

Bi-allelic ADARB1 Variants Associated with Microcephaly, Intellectual Disability, and Seizures.

The RNA editing enzyme ADAR2 is essential for the recoding of brain transcripts. Impaired ADAR2 editing leads to early-onset epilepsy and premature death in a mouse model. Here, we report bi-allelic variants in ADARB1, the gene encoding ADAR2, in four unrelated individuals with microcephaly, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. In one individual, a homozygous variant in one of the double-stranded RNA-binding domains (dsRBDs) was identified. In the others, variants were situated in or around the deaminase domain. To evaluate the effects of these variants on ADAR2 enzymatic activity, we performed in vitro assays with recombinant proteins in HEK293T cells and ex vivo assays with fibroblasts derived from one of the individuals. We demonstrate that these ADAR2 variants lead to reduced editing activity on a known ADAR2 substrate. We also demonstrate that one variant leads to changes in splicing of ADARB1 transcript isoforms. These findings reinforce the importance of RNA editing in brain development and introduce ADARB1 as a genetic etiology in individuals with intellectual disability, microcephaly, and epilepsy.

Intronic ATTTC repeat expansions in STARD7 in familial adult myoclonic epilepsy linked to chromosome 2.

Familial Adult Myoclonic Epilepsy (FAME) is characterised by cortical myoclonic tremor usually from the second decade of life and overt myoclonic or generalised tonic-clonic seizures. Four independent loci have been implicated in FAME on chromosomes (chr) 2, 3, 5 and 8. Using whole genome sequencing and repeat primed PCR, we provide evidence that chr2-linked FAME (FAME2) is caused by an expansion of an ATTTC pentamer within the first intron of STARD7. The ATTTC expansions segregate in 158/158 individuals typically affected by FAME from 22 pedigrees including 16 previously reported families recruited worldwide. RNA sequencing from patient derived fibroblasts shows no accumulation of the AUUUU or AUUUC repeat sequences and STARD7 gene expression is not affected. These data, in combination with other genes bearing similar mutations that have been implicated in FAME, suggest ATTTC expansions may cause this disorder, irrespective of the genomic locus involved.

DEGS1 variant causes neurological disorder.

Sphingolipidoses are monogenic lipid storage diseases caused by variants in enzymes of lipid synthesis and metabolism. We describe an autosomal recessive complex neurological disorder affecting consanguineous kindred. All four affected individuals, born at term following normal pregnancies, had mild to severe intellectual disability, spastic quadriplegia, scoliosis and epilepsy in most, with no dysmorphic features. Brain MRI findings were suggestive of leukodystrophy, with abnormal hyperintense signal in the periventricular perioccipital region and thinning of the body of corpus callosum. Notably, all affected individuals were asymptomatic at early infancy and developed normally until the age of 8-18 months, when deterioration ensued. Homozygosity mapping identified a single 8.7 Mb disease-associated locus on chromosome 1q41-1q42.13 between rs1511695 and rs537250 (two-point LOD score 2.1). Whole exome sequencing, validated through Sanger sequencing, identified within this locus a single disease-associated homozygous variant in DEGS1, encoding C4-dihydroceramide desaturase, an enzyme of the ceramide synthesis pathway. The missense variant, segregating within the family as expected for recessive heredity, affects an evolutionary-conserved amino acid of all isoforms of DEGS1 (c.656A>G, c.764A>G; p.(N219S), p.(N255S)) and was not found in a homozygous state in ExAC and gnomAD databases or in 300 ethnically matched individuals. Lipidomcs analysis of whole blood of affected individuals demonstrated augmented levels of dihydroceramides, dihydrosphingosine, dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate and dihydrosphingomyelins with reduced levels of ceramide, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate and monohexosylceramides, as expected in malfunction of C4-dihydroceramide desaturase. Thus, we describe a sphingolipidosis causing a severe regressive neurological disease.

A de novo GABRA2 missense mutation in severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathy with a choreiform movement disorder.

BACKGROUND: Early-onset epileptic encephalopathy (EOEE) is a severe convulsive disorder with a poor developmental prognosis. Although it has been associated with mutations in a number of genes, the fact that there is a large proportion of patients who remain undiagnosed suggests that there are many more still-unknown genetic causes of EOEE. Achieving a genetic diagnosis is important for understanding the biological basis of the disease, with its implications for treatment and family planning. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing was performed in a family of Ashkenazi Jewish origin in which a male infant was diagnosed with EOEE. There was no family history of a similar neurologic disease. The patient had extreme hypotonia, neonatal hypothermia, choreiform movements, and vision impairment in addition to the convulsive disorder. RESULTS: A de novo heterozygous missense mutation, c.1003A > C, p.Asn335His, was identified in a conserved domain of GABRA2. GABRA2 encodes the α2 subunit of the GABAA receptor. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of previous reports of an association of de novo mutations in genes encoding different subunits of the GABAA receptor (GABRB1, GABRA1, GABRG2, GABRB3) with autosomal dominant epileptic disorders, we conclude that a de novo mutation in GABRA2 is likely to cause autosomal dominant EOEE accompanied by a movement disorder and vision impairment.

Clinical, Biomarker, and Molecular Delineations and Genotype-Phenotype Correlations of Ataxia With Oculomotor Apraxia Type 1.

Importance: Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 1 (AOA1) is an autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia due to mutations in the aprataxin gene (APTX) that is characterized by early-onset cerebellar ataxia, oculomotor apraxia, axonal motor neuropathy, and eventual decrease of albumin serum levels. Objectives: To improve the clinical, biomarker, and molecular delineation of AOA1 and provide genotype-phenotype correlations. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective analysis included the clinical, biological (especially regarding biomarkers of the disease), electrophysiologic, imaging, and molecular data of all patients consecutively diagnosed with AOA1 in a single genetics laboratory from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2014. Data were analyzed from January 1, 2015, through January 31, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures: The clinical, biological, and molecular spectrum of AOA1 and genotype-phenotype correlations. Results: The diagnosis of AOA1 was confirmed in 80 patients (46 men [58%] and 34 women [42%]; mean [SD] age at onset, 7.7 [7.4] years) from 51 families, including 57 new (with 8 new mutations) and 23 previously described patients. Elevated levels of α-fetoprotein (AFP) were found in 33 patients (41%); hypoalbuminemia, in 50 (63%). Median AFP level was higher in patients with AOA1 (6.0 ng/mL; range, 1.1-17.0 ng/mL) than in patients without ataxia (3.4 ng/mL; range, 0.8-17.2 ng/mL; P < .01). Decreased albumin levels (ρ = -0.532) and elevated AFP levels (ρ = 0.637) were correlated with disease duration. The p.Trp279* mutation, initially reported as restricted to the Portuguese founder haplotype, was discovered in 53 patients with AOA1 (66%) with broad white racial origins. Oculomotor apraxia was found in 49 patients (61%); polyneuropathy, in 74 (93%); and cerebellar atrophy, in 78 (98%). Oculomotor apraxia correlated with the severity of ataxia and mutation type, being more frequent with deletion or truncating mutations (83%) than with presence of at least 1 missense variant (17%; P < .01). Mean (SD) age at onset was higher for patients with at least 1 missense mutation (17.7 [11.4] vs 5.2 [2.6] years; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: The AFP level, slightly elevated in a substantial fraction of patients, may constitute a new biomarker for AOA1. Oculomotor apraxia may be an optional finding in AOA1 and correlates with more severe disease. The p.Trp279* mutation is the most frequent APTX mutation in the white population. APTX missense mutations may be associated with a milder phenotype.

Successful Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment in Pediatric Severe DRESS Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a rare, potentially life-threatening delayed drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction. The most frequently reported drugs causing DRESS are aromatic antiepileptic agents. Prompt withdrawal of the offending drug and administering systemic corticosteroids is the most widely accepted and used treatment. The treatment of severe DRESS not responsive to systemic corticosteroids is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe a case series of pediatric patients with DRESS who were treated successfully with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs). METHODS: A retrospective review of all children hospitalized in a tertiary care children's hospital with severe DRESS syndrome who received IVIG in addition to offending drug withdrawal and systemic corticosteroids during 1999-2017 is performed. RESULTS: Seven severe DRESS patients (4 males, age: 9.5 ± 5.7 years) are described. The offending drugs were antiepileptics in all but one case. Clinical findings included fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, dyspnea, anasarca, and hepatic involvement. After IVIG treatment (total dosage: 1-2 g/kg), fever resolved within a median time of 1 (range, 0-5) day, rash disappeared after 6.3 ± 1.6 days, and liver enzymes substantially improved after 3.8 ± 1.6 days. Patients were discharged 6.1 ± 2.7 days after IVIG commencement. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: The addition of IVIG in DRESS syndrome resistant to regular drug withdrawal and systemic corticosteroid therapy may hasten disease recovery.

Novel homozygous missense mutation in NT5C2 underlying hereditary spastic paraplegia SPG45.

SPG45 is a rare form of autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia associated with mental retardation. Detailed phenotyping and mutation analysis was undertaken in three individuals with SPG45 from a consanguineous family of Arab Muslim origin. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified a novel homozygous missense mutation in NT5C2 (c.1379T>C; p.Leu460Pro). Our data expand the molecular basis of SPG45, adding the first missense mutation to the current database of nonsense, frameshift, and splice site mutations. NT5C2 mutations seem to have a broad clinical spectrum and should be sought in patients manifesting either as uncomplicated or complicated HSP.