Analysis of COL7A1 pathogenic variants in a large cohort of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients from Argentina reveals a new genotype-phenotype correlation.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a clinically heterogeneous heritable skin disorder, characterized by blistering of the skin and mucous membranes following minor trauma. Dominant (DDEB) and recessive (RDEB) forms are caused by pathogenic variants in COL7A1 gene. Argentina's population has a heterogeneous genetic background, and little is known about the molecular basis of DEB in our country or in native South American populations. In this study, we present the prevalence and geographical distribution of pathogenic variants found in 181 patients from 136 unrelated families (31 DDEB and 105 RDEB). We detected 95 different variants, 59 of them were previously reported in the literature and 36 were novel, nine of which were detected in more than one family. The most prevalent pathogenic variants were identified in exon 73 in DDEB patients and in exon 3 in RDEB patients. We also report a new phenotype-genotype correlation found in 10 unrelated families presenting mild blistering and severe mucosal involvement. Molecular studies in populations with an unexplored genetic background like ours revealed a diversity of pathogenic variants, and we hope that these findings will contribute to the definition of targets for new gene therapies.

[Stiff skin syndrome in a pediatric patient: a therapeutic challenge. Clinical case]. / Síndrome de piel indurada en un paciente pediátrico: un desafío terapéutico. Presentación de un caso.

Stiff skin syndrome is a chronic, rare sclerosing disorder that occurs in childhood, characterized by progressive induration of the skin that can cause thoracic restrictions and respiratory distress, limitations in joint mobility and gait difficulties, with significant deterioration of the quality of life. Because their therapeutic options are scarce and ineffective it is essential to start an early physical therapy to prevent these complications and to continue studying this condition to be able to offer patients more and better treatments. We present the case of a 9-year-old patient with indurated skin syndrome and its therapeutic challenge.

El síndrome de la piel indurada es un trastorno esclerosante crónico, infrecuente, que se presenta en la infancia, caracterizado por la induración progresiva de la piel. Esta afección puede provocar restricciones torácicas y dificultad respiratoria, limitaciones en la movilidad articular y trastornos en la marcha, con importante deterioro de la calidad de vida. Debido a que sus opciones terapéuticas son escasas y poco eficaces, es fundamental que el paciente inicie precozmente una terapia física para prevenir estas complicaciones y que se continúe estudiando esta enfermedad a fin de poder ofrecer a los pacientes más y mejores tratamientos. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 9 años con síndrome de la piel indurada y su desafío terapéutico.

Síndrome de piel indurada en un paciente pediátrico: un desafío terapéutico. Presentación de un caso / Stiff skin syndrome in a pediatric patient: a therapeutic challenge. Clinical case

El síndrome de la piel indurada es un trastorno esclerosante crónico, infrecuente, que se presenta en la infancia, caracterizado por la induración progresiva de la piel. Esta afección puede provocar restricciones torácicas y dificultad respiratoria, limitaciones en la movilidad articular y trastornos en la marcha, con importante deterioro de la calidad de vida. Debido a que sus opciones terapéuticas son escasas y poco eficaces, es fundamental que el paciente inicie precozmente una terapia física para prevenir estas complicaciones y que se continúe estudiando esta enfermedad a fin de poder ofrecer a los pacientes más y mejores tratamientos. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 9 años con síndrome de la piel indurada y su desafío terapéutico.

Stiff skin syndrome is a chronic, rare sclerosing disorder that occurs in childhood, characterized by progressive induration of the skin that can cause thoracic restrictions and respiratory distress, limitations in joint mobility and gait difficulties, with significant deterioration of the quality of life. Because their therapeutic options are scarce and ineffective it is essential to start an early physical therapy to prevent these complications and to continue studying this condition to be able to offer patients more and better treatments. We present the case of a 9-year-old patient with indurated skin syndrome and its therapeutic challenge.