ABSTRACT
Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) is characterized by congenital weakness, proximal joint contractures, and hyperlaxity of distal joints. UCMD is basically due to a defect in extra cellular matrix protein, collagen type VI. A 37-year-old woman who cannot walk independently visited our outpatient clinic. She had orthopedic deformities (scoliosis, joint contractures, and distal joint hyperlaxity), difficulty of respiration, and many skin keloids. Her hip computed tomography showed diffuse fatty infiltration and the 'central shadow' sign in thigh muscles. From the clinical information suggesting collagen type VI related muscle disorder, UCMD was highly considered. COL6A1 gene sequencing confirmed this patient as UCMD with novel c.904G>A (p.Gly302Arg) variant. If musculoskeletal and dermatologic manifestations and radiologic findings imply abnormalities in collagen type VI network, COL6A related congenital muscular dystrophy was to be suspected.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Ambulatory Care Facilities , Collagen Type VI , Congenital Abnormalities , Contracture , Hip , Joints , Keloid , Muscles , Muscular Diseases , Muscular Dystrophies , Orthopedics , Respiration , Skin , ThighABSTRACT
OBJETIVOS: Descrever características clínicas e genéticas da distrofia muscular congênita de Ullrich (DMCU), e relatar o caso de um paciente diagnosticado com DMCU após uma exaustiva investigação, que incluiu análise imuno-histoquímica e genômica do colágeno tipo VI. DESCRIÇÃO: Este estudo baseou-se na avaliação clínica e imuno-histoquímica do tecido muscular e na análise genômica dos fibroblastos dérmicos de um menino de 7 anos e meio, e do DNA dos seus pais. São discutidos aspectos clínicos e o diagnóstico diferencial com outras doenças. COMENTÁRIOS: O melhor conhecimento das distrofias musculares congênitas aumentará o número de diagnósticos corretos e abrirá novos horizontes para o tratamento dessas doenças. A avaliação genética dos pacientes com DMCU tem implicações relevantes para o prognóstico e o aconselhamento genético da família. É aconselhável divulgar essa doença na comunidade pediátrica, devido ao início precoce das manifestações clínicas e o fato de ser frequentemente mal diagnosticada ou não ser diagnosticada.
OBJECTIVES: To describe genetic and clinical features of Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD), and to report the case of a patient diagnosed with UCMD after an exhaustive investigation, which included collagen VI immunohistochemical and genomic analyses. DESCRIPTIONS: This study was based on clinical, immunohistochemical assessment of muscle tissue and genomic analysis of dermal fibroblasts of a 7 1/2-year old boy and of the DNA of his parents. Clinical aspects and differential diagnosis with other disorders are discussed. COMMENTS: A better knowledge of congenital muscular dystrophies will improve the number of correct diagnoses and open new horizons for the treatment of such diseases. Genetic evaluation of UCMD patients has relevant implications for prognosis and genetic counseling of the family. The divulgation of this disorder in the pediatric community is advisable, because of the early onset of clinical manifestations and the fact that it is frequently misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Male , Collagen Type VI/genetics , Muscular Dystrophies/congenital , Mutation/genetics , Diagnosis, Differential , Disease Progression , DNA Mutational Analysis , Fibroblasts/pathology , Genetic Counseling , Immunohistochemistry , Muscular Dystrophies/genetics , Muscular Dystrophies/pathology , ParentsABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical and immune pathological features of Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) with sarcolemma-specific collagen Ⅵ deficiency (SSCD). Methods The clinical aspects of 2 patients with SSCD were analyzed and the muscle specimens from them were studied by immunofluorescence. Results SSCD patients were clinically characterized by neonatal hypotonia with proximal contractures and distal hyperlaxity at birth or early infancy. Immunofluorescence staining revealed partial deficiency of collagen Ⅵ. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed sarcolemma-specific deficiency of collagen Ⅵ, while collagen Ⅳ intact in thesarcolemma. Conclusions The clinical picture and severity of UCMD with SSCD are similar to the cases with collagen Ⅵ complete deficiency. The proximal contractures and distal hyperlaxity are the clinical hallmarks of both types. Sarcolemma-specific collagen Ⅵ deficiency can be better demonstrated by double immunofluorescence staining.