scholarly journals Family genetic screening in rare hereditary diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
S.I. Kutsev ◽  
S. Moiseev

Family genetic testing of probands with newly diagnosed rare hereditary diseases including Fabry disease improves early diagnosis and allows to initiate specific treatment, if available, at earlier stage in affected family members. Diagnosis of Fabry disease, an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder affecting kidneys, heart, brain and other organs, is usually late due to low awareness of physicians about rare diseases. Moreover, early symptoms can be non-specific (e.g. gastrointestinal disorders and autonomic neuropathy) or misleading (e.g. recurrent unexplained fever) whereas characteristic skin rash and keratopathy (cornea verticillata) are frequently overlooked. Undiagnosed patients with Fabry disease can be detected by screening in at-risk populations, such as patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis or renal transplantation, patients with unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy, and young adults with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack who have a higher prevalence of the disease compared to general population. High-risk screening paves the way to family screening to identify affected relatives, including children, who can benefit from earlier treatment and genetic counselling. The major barriers to family screening include costs of testing, cultural and societal issues, stigma associated with a diagnosis of genetic disease, low contacts in the family, weak infrastructure, national regulations.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 1304
Author(s):  
Valeria Di Stefano ◽  
Marta Mancarella ◽  
Antonia Camporeale ◽  
Anna Regalia ◽  
Marta Ferraresi ◽  
...  

Fabry disease is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene, leading to deficient α-galactosidase A activity and, consequently, to glycosphingolipid accumulation in a wide variety of cells. Fabry disease due to N215S (c.644A>G, p.Asn215Ser) missense mutation usually results in a late-onset phenotype presenting with isolated cardiac involvement. We herein present the case of a patient with N215S mutation with cardiac involvement, namely left ventricular hypertrophy and ventricular arrhythmias, and end-stage renal disease requiring kidney transplantation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a kidney-transplanted Fabry patient treated with oral pharmacologic chaperone migalastat.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. e243604
Author(s):  
Sam Williams ◽  
Ahmed El-Medany ◽  
Angus Nightingale ◽  
Yasmin Ismail

We herein report the case of a 53-year-old man who was historically diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and was lost to follow-up, before presenting with end-stage heart failure. This was initially suspected as dilated cardiomyopathy and then ‘burnt-out phase’ of HCM but subsequently the underlying diagnosis was Fabry disease. Fabry disease is an uncommon lysosomal-storage disease due to reduced or absent activity of the alpha-galactosidase A enzyme. Cardiac involvement most frequently comprises left ventricular hypertrophy. Early treatment of the underlying condition with enzyme replacement therapy may prevent the progression to end-stage heart failure. Fabry disease should be considered in all patients presenting with a clinical phenotype of HCM and a historical diagnosis should be re-evaluated in light of new diagnostic tools. Untreated Fabry can progress to a ‘burnt out’ phase, whereby initial hypertrophy undergoes eccentric remodelling to a dilated, severely impaired left ventricle.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-200
Author(s):  
Letizia Roggero ◽  
Sara Auricchio ◽  
Federico Pieruzzi

Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Fabry Disease Anderson-Fabry disease (FD) is a X-linked lysosomal storage disorder, which involves glycosphingolipids metabolism. Specific treatment for FD has been available in the last two decades, after the development and commercialization of recombinant human alfa-galactosidase A. Since then enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has changed the natural history of the disease. Two different enzymatic formulations are available: agalsidase alfa and agalsidase beta at different dosages. The safety and efficacy profiles are similar. ERT induces Gb3 deposits reduction in renal and cardiac biopsies, improves quality of life, reduces pain and GI symptoms, decreases left ventricular mass and slows down renal function decline. In case of organ involvement, clinical evidence confirms the need to treat all patients with enzyme therapy, both male and female. In all other clinical settings, the decision to start ERT is controversial, because of the extremely variable clinical manifestations of FD. However, data suggest a greater response to ERT if started as early as possible in any patients. Timely treatment appears to be effective in stabilizing and possibly delaying FD progression. ERT infusion reactions due to allergic hypersensitivity or IgG antibody development could occur but can be easily managed. In-hospital and at home infusions are possible. The wide genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity observed in all FD patients requires a tailored approach to treatment options. Patients should be referred to an expert multidisciplinary team for the long term management of this challenging disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashwin Radhakrishnan ◽  
Luke C. Pickup ◽  
Anna M. Price ◽  
Jonathan P. Law ◽  
Kirsty C. McGee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is an adverse prognostic marker. Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) is a measure of coronary microvascular function and can be assessed using Doppler echocardiography. Reduced CFVR in ESRD has been attributed to factors such as diabetes, hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. The contributory role of other mediators important in the development of cardiovascular disease in ESRD has not been studied. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of CMD in a cohort of kidney transplant candidates and to look for associations of CMD with markers of anaemia, bone mineral metabolism and chronic inflammation. Methods Twenty-two kidney transplant candidates with ESRD were studied with myocardial contrast echocardiography, Doppler CFVR assessment and serum multiplex immunoassay analysis. Individuals with diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension or ischaemic heart disease were excluded. Results 7/22 subjects had CMD (defined as CFVR < 2). Demographic, laboratory and echocardiographic parameters and serum biomarkers were similar between subjects with and without CMD. Subjects with CMD had significantly lower haemoglobin than subjects without CMD (102 g/L ± 12 vs. 117 g/L ± 11, p = 0.008). There was a positive correlation between haemoglobin and CFVR (r = 0.7, p = 0.001). Similar results were seen for haematocrit. In regression analyses, haemoglobin was an independent predictor of CFVR (β = 0.041 95% confidence interval 0.012–0.071, p = 0.009) and of CFVR < 2 (odds ratio 0.85 95% confidence interval 0.74–0.98, p = 0.022). Conclusions Among kidney transplant candidates with ESRD, there is a high prevalence of CMD, despite the absence of traditional risk factors. Anaemia may be a potential driver of microvascular dysfunction in this population and requires further investigation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte E. Grantham ◽  
Katherine L. Hull ◽  
Matthew P.M. Graham-Brown ◽  
Daniel S. March ◽  
James O. Burton

Cardiovascular mortality in the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population remains the leading cause of death. Targeting traditional cardiovascular risk factors has proven unsuccessful in this patient population, and therefore attention has turned to risk factors related to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The toxicity of high-glucose peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions has been well documented. The breakdown of glucose into glucose degradation products (GDP) and advanced glycation end-products (AGE) has the ability to alter cell viability and cause premature apoptosis and is strongly correlated with interstitial fibrosis and microvascular sclerosis. Biocompatible solutions have been introduced to combat the hostile milieu to which PD patients are exposed.Given the considerable cardiovascular burden for PD patients, little is known about the cardiovascular impact the new biocompatible solutions may have. This review analyzes the existing literature regarding the mechanisms through which low-GDP solutions may modulate cardiovascular risk. Interventions using low-GDP solutions have provided encouraging changes in structural cardiovascular measures such as left ventricular mass (LVM), although metabolic changes from reduced GDP and AGE exposure yield inconclusive results on vascular remodelling. It is thought that the local effects of reduced glucose exposure may improve membrane integrity and therefore fluid status. Further research in the form of a robust randomized controlled trial should be carried out to assess the true extent of the cardiovascular benefits these biocompatible solutions may hold.


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