Mutation analysis of AAAS gene in a child with Allgrove syndrome / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To study the AAAS gene mutations in a child with autosomal recessive Allgrove syndrome. Methods Clinical data were collected and blood samples were obtained from the proband of Allgrove syndrome and her parents. Genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced by PCR amplification. Subclone sequencing was performed to validate the gene mutations. The disease-causing potentials of mutation genes were evaluated by the Mutation Taster, and the target protein tertiary structure was modelled by the Swiss Model. Results A new heterozygous insertion mutation(c. 1347_1348insG) of exon 15 in the proband was identified and firstly reported. Other two reported mutations were detected, which were the heterozygous mutation c. 688C>T in the patient and her mother, and the homozygous mutation c. 855C>T in the proband and her parents. In addition, it was confirmed that the novel compound heterozygous mutations(c. 688C>T, c. 1347_1348insG) in the AAAS gene of the proband were pathogenic mutation locus. Conclusion The heterozygous mutation(c. 1347_1348insG) of AAAS gene was firstly reported. In case of the patients being clinically misdiagnosed, related-gene detection should be performed for the patients who were diagnosed with primary adrenal insufficiency during the period of infants and young childhood.

Síndrome de Allgrove. Informe de un caso / Allgrove syndrome. A case report

Resumen Antecedentes: El síndrome de Allgrove fue descrito en 1978; es un trastorno autosómico recesivo caracterizado por las tres A: acalasia, alacrimia e insuficiencia adrenal. El gen alterado es el AAAS, que codifica la proteína ALADIN. Caso clínico: Mujer de 17 años de edad, a los 18 meses, cursó con alacrimia que ocasionó úlceras corneales, zonas hiperpigmentadas en pliegues y niveles de hormona adrenocorticotropa (ACTH, adrenocorticotrophic hormone) en 2.1 µg/d, cortisol basal de 3.6 µg/dl. A los 5 años de edad la tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) mostró suprarrenales apenas visibles, y la electromiografía reportó neuropatía motora tipo axonal. A los 7 años inició con crisis convulsiva, disfagia a sólidos y el esofagograma baritado reportó dilatación esofágica inferior, la manometría esofágica confirmó aumento de la presión del esfínter esofágico inferior, relajación incompleta y aperistalsis del cuerpo esofágico. Se realizó cardiomiotomía de Heller y funduplicatura parcial anterior por laparoscopia, y se mostró mejoría clínica. Discusión: El síndrome de Allgrove es una enfermedad que va apareciendo durante la infancia temprana, cursa con alacrimia, acalasia e insuficiencia adrenal. Esto coincide con lo presentado en esta paciente. El tratamiento es con esteroides así como con el manejo quirúrgico de la acalasia con buenos resultados.

Abstract Background: Allgrove syndrome was described in 1978, it is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the triple A: Achalasia, Alacrima and Adrenal insufficiency. The AAAS is the altered gene encoding the protein ALADIN. Case report: A 17 years old female, who presented alacrima corneal ulcers at 18 month, hyperpigmentation areas, and ACTH levels in 2.1 g / d, basal cortisol of 3.6 mg/dl. At 5 years old she showed adrenal hypogenesia, electromyography reported axonal motor type neuropathy. At 7 years old, she began with seizure, dysphagia to solids, barium esophagogram reported lower esophageal dilation, esophageal manometry confirmed increased pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, aperistalsis, and esophageal body incomplete relaxation. Heller cardiomyotomy and partial anterior fundoplication laparoscopically was performed, showing clinical improvement. Discussion: Allgrove Syndrome is a disease that will appear in early childhood, present with alacrima, achalasia and adrenal insufficiency. This coincides with what is presented in this patient; steroids are the medical treatment and achalasia must be resolved by surgery, with good results.

Novel Mutations in a Patient with Triple A Syndrome.

Background: Triple A syndrome (Allgrove syndrome), a rare autosomal recessive disorder, is characterized by adrenal insufficiency, achalasia cardia and alacrimia. It is caused by mutations in AAAS gene which encodes a protein called ALADIN. Case characteristics: 8-year-old boy who presented with hypoglycemic seizures, dysphagia, dry eyes and hyperpigmentation. Investigations confirmed achalasia cardia and adrenal insufficiency. Sequencing of AAAS gene revealed two novel mutations in compound heterozygous state (c.1101delG/ c.1310_1311delCT). Outcome: Patient was managed with hydrocortisone and artificial tears. Message: Sequencing analysis should be done to confirm the diagnosis of clinically suspected Triple A syndrome.

Allgrove (AAA) Syndrome.

This is the first reported case of Allgrove Syndrome in Paediatric Department, S. C. B. MCH in a six years old male child who presented with convulsion and altered sensorium. He had no tears since birth, dysphagia with regurgitation of food and later developed skin hyperpigmentation. Allgrove syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by progressive loss of cholinergic function resulting in alacrimia, achalasia cardia, addison’s disease and autonomic neuropathy. Early diagnosis will lead to significant reduction of morbidity and mortality which is usually due to unrecognized adrenal crisis.

Síndrome de Allgrove: reporte de un caso / Allgrove's syndrome: a case report

Introducción. El síndrome de Allgrove, también conocido como síndrome de triple A, es un trastorno autosómico recesivo caracterizado por alacrima, acalasia e insuficiencia adrenal. Allgrove describió la entidad en hermanos con insuficiencia adrenal, acalasia y deficiente producción de lágrima. Actualmente se han agregado al cuadro clínico diversas alteraciones neurológicas y existe una gran variabilidad fenotípica en los casos reportados. El gen responsable ha sido identificado por Tullio-Pullet y col., y es responsable de la producción de una proteína denominada ALADIN. Caso clínico. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 7 años de edad con deficiencia de lágrima, atrofia óptica y antecedente de acalasia. Hasta el momento no se ha demostrado insuficiencia adrenal. Conclusión. Esta entidad es rara, algunos síntomas, principalmente los neurológicos y la insuficiencia adrenal, pueden ser tardíos, por lo que el oftalmólogo y el pediatra deben considerarla en pacientes con deficiente producción de lágrima o acalasia, además de datos sistémicos sugestivos de un síndrome.

Introduction. Allgrove syndrome, also known as Triple A syndrome, is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)-resistant adrenal insufficiency, achalasia and alacrima. Allgrove described siblings with isolated glucocorticoid failure, achalasia and defective tear production. It has also been associated with some neurologic abnormalities and there is a variable clinical presentation. The Triple A gene was identified by Tullio-Pullet et al and it is responsible for the production of a protein called ALADIN. Case report. We report a 7 years old patient with alacrima, optic atrophy and achalasia. Until now he has not had adrenal insufficiency. Conclusion. This entity is rare, some of the symptoms appear later in the development of the disease, including neurologic abnormalities and adrenal insufficiency. The ophtalmologist and the pediatrician must consider it in patients with alacrima or acalasia.

Síndrome de Allgrove: informe de casos / Allgrove syndrome: cases report

El síndrome de Allgrove fue descrito en 1978 por Allgrove et al. como una entidad familiar de origen desconocido caracterizada por deficiencia aislada de glucorticoides, acalasia esofágica y producción defectuosa de lágrimas, por lo que ha sido denominado síndrome triple AAA (adrenal insufficiency, achalasia, alacrima); por lo general aparece durante la primera década de la vida con disfagia o con crisis suprarrenal severa; son pocos los casos diagnosticados de novo en los adultos en quienes predominan síntomas autonómicos y manifestaciones neurológicas como retardo mental, hiperreflexia, voz nasal, anisocoria, ataxia, hipotensión postural y disfunción sexual. En la consulta de Endocrinología Pediátrica del Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl de Medellín se han identificado 5 pacientes con las características clínicas propias del síndrome. Todos mostraron alacrimia e insuficiencia suprarrenal y sólo en uno de los pacientes la acalasia aún no se ha diagnosticado pero la sintomatología que presenta es muy sugestiva de la misma; la alteración neurológica más común en esta serie es el retraso mental. La edad media de aparición de la alacrimia es 3.8 años, de la insuficiencia suprarrena 4.7 años y de la acalasia 7.2 años. Un hallazgo interesante y poco informado es el hipotiroidismo, que es subclínico en tres pacientes, permanente en uno y transitorio en otro.

The Allgrove syndrome (also known as Triple A syndromes), was described by Allgrove et al. in 1978 as a familiar clinical entity of unknown etiology whose characteristic features are adrenal insufficiency, achalasia and alacrima. The usual presentation is during the first 10 years of life with dysphagia or severe adrenal insufficiency, few new cases have been discovered in adults, whose autonomic symptoms and neurological manifestations such as mental retardation, hyperreflexia, nasal speech, anisocoria, ataxia, postural hypotension and sexual dysfunction are predominant. At the Pediatric Endocrinology Service of Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl, Medellín, Colombia, 5 patients have been identified with the clinical features of Allgrove syndrome. All patients have showed both alacrima and adrenal insufficiency. Achalasia has not been diagnosed in one patient, whose symptomatology is highly suggestive to the syndrome. Mental retardation is the most frequent neurological alteration seen. The mean age of presentation for alacrima was 3.8 years, for adrenal insufficiency was 4.7 years and for achalasia was 7.2 years. An interesting finding and occasionally reported is the presence of hypothyroidism, which is subclinic in three patients, transient hypothyroidism in one patient and clinical hypothyroidism in the other one.