0000000000056011
AUTHOR
Giuseppe Albeggiani
Identification of a novel mutation in the alpha-galactosidase A gene in patients with Fabry disease.
Abstract Objectives Mutation analysis of the alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) gene is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of affected families. In our work, we analyze about one thousand samples per year from patients suspected of having Fabry disease (FD). Design and methods We carried out high resolution melting analysis (HRM) and DNA sequencing of all the exons of the GLA gene. We also assayed the alpha-galactosidase A activity in patients' blood. Results In some members of one family, we identified a new mutation in the GLA gene, c.614delC. This is a deletion of a single nucleotide, a cytosine, in exon 4 of the gene which causes a frameshift mutation. Conclusions Patients with the c.614delC mu…
Multiple in vitro and in vivo regulatory effects of budesonide in CD4+ T lymphocyte subpopulations of allergic asthmatics.
Abstract BACKGROUND: Increased activation and increased survival of T lymphocytes characterise bronchial asthma. OBJECTIVES: In this study the effect of budesonide on T cell survival, on inducible co-stimulator T cells (ICOS), on Foxp3 and on IL-10 molecules in T lymphocyte sub-populations was assessed. METHODS: Cell survival (by annexin V binding) and ICOS in total lymphocytes, in CD4+/CD25+ and in CD4+/CD25- and Foxp3 and IL-10 in CD4+/CD25+ and in CD4+/CD25-cells was evaluated, by cytofluorimetric analysis, in mild intermittent asthmatics (n = 19) and in controls (n = 15). Allergen induced T lymphocyte proliferation and the in vivo effects of budesonide in mild persistent asthmatics (n =…
Novel alpha-galactosidase A mutation in a female with recurrent strokes.
Abstract Anderson–Fabry disease (AFD) is an X-linked inborn error of glycosphingolipid catabolism resulting from the deficient activity of the lysosomal exoglycohydrolase, a-galactosidase A. The complete genomic and cDNA sequences of the human alpha-galactosidase A gene have been determined and to date, several disease-causing alpha-galactosidase A mutations have been identified, including missense mutations, small deletions/insertions, splice mutations, and large gene rearrangements We report a case of a 56-year-old woman with recurrent cryptogenic strokes. Ophthalmological examination revealed whorled opacities of the cornea (cornea verticillata) and dilated tortuous conjunctival vessels.…
Antigens of <i>Euparipha pisana</i> (Snail)
The data obtained in this study suggest that eating <i>Euparipha pisana</i> (snail), a common food in Mediterranean countries, could give serious allergic reaction such as asthma. We describe here the identification and partial characterization of allergenic molecules form this new source. An aqueous extract of snail was obtained by homogenization in distilled water, centrifugation, dialysis and defatting with ethyl ether. Skin prick test (SPT) performed with the snail extract on 70 subjects allergic to the more common allergens of the Mediterranean area gave a SPT positivity in 61% of the subjects tested, with a mean value of histamine-equivalent prick (HEP) equal to 0.81 ± 0.2…
A classical phenotype of Anderson-Fabry disease in a female patient with intronic mutations of the GLA gene: a case report
Abstract Background Fabry disease (FD) is a hereditary metabolic disorder caused by the partial or total inactivation of a lysosomal hydrolase, the enzyme α-galactosidase A (GLA). This inactivation is responsible for the storage of undegraded glycosphingolipids in the lysosomes with subsequent cellular and microvascular dysfunction. The incidence of disease is estimated at 1:40,000 in the general population, although neonatal screening initiatives have found an unexpectedly high prevalence of genetic alterations, up to 1:3,100, in newborns in Italy, and have identified a surprisingly high frequency of newborn males with genetic alterations (about 1:1,500) in Taiwan. Case presentation We des…
De novo mutation in a male patient with Fabry disease: a case report
Abstract Background Fabry disease is an X-linked inherited metabolic condition where the deficit of the α-galactosidase A enzyme, encoded by the GLA gene, leads to glycosphingolipid storage, mainly globotriaosylceramide. To date, more than 600 mutations have been identified in human GLA gene that are responsible for FD, including missense and nonsense mutations, small and large deletions. Such mutations are usually inherited, and cases of de novo onset occur rarely. Case presentation In this article we report an interesting case of a 44-year-old male patient suffering from a severe form of Fabry disease, with negative family history. The patient showed signs such as cornea verticillata, ang…
Misdiagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever in patients with Anderson-Fabry disease
Fabry disease (FD) is an underdiagnosed pathology due to its symptomatology that overlaps with various systemic and rheumatic disorders, including familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). We examined the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) and α-galactosidase A (GLA) genes, whose mutations are responsible for FMF and FD, respectively, in 42 unrelated patients diagnosed with FMF, which revealed significant ambiguity regarding some of the symptoms which are also present in FD. The objective of this study was to determine the spectrum of mutations present in these genes, in order to identify cases of mistaken diagnosis of FMF and/or missed diagnosis of FD. Ten out of 42 patients had one mutation in homozygo…