Comparison of Congenital Rubella Syndrome Cases at a Philippine Tertiary Hospital from 2009-2012 to 2019-2022

Background and Objective@#The Philippines does not have a national congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) surveillance or registry. Regular monitoring of CRS cases in hospitals, including in a Philippine tertiary hospital, helped in the past to provide clinico-epidemiologic data on CRS. This study aimed to continue providing clinico-epidemiologic data on CRS cases seen in the Philippine tertiary hospital from 2009-2012 and 2019-2022 and compare the cases seen from said timelines.@*Methods@#A cross-sectional study was used, employing chart review of patients newly diagnosed with CRS from 2009-2012 and 2019-2022 in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Philippine tertiary hospital.@*Results@#Forty-two patients newly diagnosed with CRS from 2009-2012 and 2019-2022 were included. Only 14 (33%) were serologically-confirmed cases (albeit qualitatively). Median age (first and third interquartile ranges) at consult was 1 year (0.4, 2.5). Twenty-four (57%) patients had maternal history of rashes and/or fever. Trimester of pregnancy when mother became symptomatic was not significantly correlated with chief complaint (p=0.20) and numbers of ophthalmic (p=0.68) and systemic manifestations (p=0.32). Cataract was the most common ophthalmic manifestation present in 40 (95%) patients. Twenty-six (62%) patients had other associated systemic findings of which hearing loss was the most common. Only 29 of 40 patients with cataract underwent lensectomy, with 23 patients having poor visual prognosis prior to surgery (5 with nystagmus alone, 10 with nystagmus and strabismus, and 8 with strabismus alone). @*Discussion@#Using ophthalmic manifestations as primary indicator, this study provided an update on the CRS cases in the country. Laboratory confirmation remains a challenge in diagnosing CRS as the tests are costly and not widely available. There was increase from 2009-2012 compared to 2019-2022 in number of patients who underwent surgical treatment for cataract but visual outcomes were suboptimal due to delay in consultation. Although there was a decrease in number of CRS cases seen in the Philippine tertiary hospital, this cannot be attributed to increased rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) coverage alone. @*Conclusion@#Provision of data from individual hospital-based studies similar to this highlights the need for a national CRS surveillance system or registry. This can better gauge the burden of CRS and identify the gap in RCV coverage.

Síndrome de Bardet-Biedl: A propósito de un caso / Bardet-Biedl syndrome: About a case

El síndrome de Bardet-Biedl (SBB) es una entidad poco frecuente, con gran heterogeneidad clínica y genética. Pertenece a las ciliopatías y tiene un modo de herencia autosómico recesivo. Hasta la fecha se han identificado más de 26 genes asociados. Afecta múltiples sistemas con compromiso oftalmológico, renal, cognitivo, esquelético, gonadal y ponderal. Su diagnóstico se basa en criterios clínicos y se confirma mediante estudios genéticos específicos. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 2 años y 7 meses de edad, con polidactilia, obesidad, retraso del neurodesarrollo y afección renal en quien se arribó al diagnóstico clínico de SBB con posterior confirmación mediante estudio molecular. Se detectó una variante patogénica en homocigosis en el gen BBS2. La sospecha y confirmación diagnóstica permitieron el manejo adecuado del paciente, planificar el seguimiento apropiado y completar el asesoramiento genético familiar

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare entity that holds a great clinical and genetic heterogeneity. It is a ciliopathy and has an autosomal recessive inheritance. To this day more than 26 associated genes have been identified. It affects multiple aspects predominantly ophthalmological, renal, cognitive, skeletal, gonadal and weight. The diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and confirmed by specific genetic studies. We describe a case of a 2-year-and 7 month old patient with polydactyly, obe39 sity, neurodevelopmental delay and kidney dysplasia in which clinical diagnosis was suspected by criteria and subsequently has confirmation by molecular study. An homozygous pathogenic variant was detected in the BBS2 gene. The diagnostic suspicion and later confirmation allowed the proper management of this patient as well as an appropriate follow-up and complete genetic family counseling

Early occurrence of primary angle-closure glaucoma in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa and CRB1 gene variations / Manifestação precoce de glaucoma de ângulo fechado em paciente com retinopatia por mutação no gene CRB1

ABSTRACT We describe the case of a 15-year-old girl with decreased visual acuity associated with elevated intraocular pressure in both eyes and angle closure on gonioscopy. She also presented attenuation of retinal vessels and optic disc pallor with large excavation in the left eye. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed an anteriorly positioned ciliary body and absence of ciliary sulcus, confirming the plateau iris configuration. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography revealed a bilateral cystoid macular edema. Genetic screening revealed heterozygous variants of the Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) gene (c.2843G>A and c.2506C>A). The patient underwent trabeculectomy for intraocular pressure control and topical treatment for macular edema. This case highlights the importance of performing gonioscopy and evaluating intraocular pressure in patients with a shallow anterior chamber despite young age. In addition, it also shows the importance of genetic screening, when available, in elucidating the diagnosis and providing patients and their families' information on the patient's prognosis and possible therapeutic options.

RESUMO Nós descrevemos um caso de uma paciente de 15 anos com queda de acuidade visual e aumento da pressão intraocular em ambos os olhos, juntamente com fechamento angular no exame de gonioscopia. Na fundoscopia a paciente apresentava atenuação dos vasos retinianos, palidez de disco e aumento de escavação em olho esquerdo. Ao exame da biomicroscopia ultrassônica, foi evidenciado corpo ciliar anteriorizado e ausência de sulco ciliar em ambos os olhos, relevando presença de íris em plateau. Ao exame de tomografia de coerência óptica, visualizamos presença de edema macular cistoide bilateral. O screening genético revelou heterozigose no gene CRB1 (c.2843G>A and c.2506C>A), confirmando o diagnóstico de retinose pigmentar. Este caso reforça a importância do exame de gonioscopia e da avaliação da pressão intraocular em pacientes em câmara rasa, mesmo em pacientes jovens. Além disso, mostra a importância do screening genético como ferramenta útil para elucidação diagnóstica.

Analysis of a patient with early-onset retinitis pigmentosa due to novel variants of CRB1 gene / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic basis for a patient with early-onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP).@*METHODS@#A patient who had presented at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University on March 10, 2020 was selected as the study subject. The patient and his parents were subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and in silico analysis.@*RESULTS@#The patient has featured substantial loss of binocular vision field. Funduscopy revealed characteristic bone spicule-type pigment deposits, as well as attenuated retinal arterioles and pale-appearing optic discs. WES revealed that he has harbored compound missense variants of a RP-associated CRB1 gene, including c.2969T>C (p.Leu990Ser) and c.1816T>C (p.Cys606Arg), which were respectively inherited from his father and mother. Homozygous c.1816T>C (p.Cys606Arg) variant has been identified among RP patients, whilst the c.2969T>C (p.Leu990Ser) variant was unreported previously. Both variants were predicted as likely pathogenic based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG).@*CONCLUSION@#The novel compound heterozygous variants of the CRB1 gene probably underlay the early-onset RP in this patient. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the CRB1 gene.

Caracterización fenotípica de la retinitis pigmentaria asociada a sordera / Phenotypic characterization of retinitis pigmentosa associated with deafness

Introducción. El síndrome de Usher es una alteración genética caracterizada por la asociación de retinitis pigmentaria y sordera. Sin embargo, hay casos con familias en las cuales, a pesar de presentarse dicha asociación, no se puede diagnosticar un síndrome de Usher ni ninguno otro. Objetivo. Reevaluar fenotípicamente a 103 familias con diagnóstico previo de posible síndrome de Usher o retinitis pigmentaria asociada con sordera. Materiales y métodos. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de 103 familias con un posible diagnóstico clínico de síndrome de Usher o retinitis pigmentaria asociada con sordera. Se seleccionaron las familias cuyo diagnóstico clínico no correspondía a un síndrome de Usher típico. Los afectados fueron valorados oftalmológica y audiológicamente. Se analizaron variables demográficas y clínicas. Resultados. Se reevaluaron 14 familias cuyo diagnóstico clínico no correspondía al de síndrome de Usher. De las familias con diagnóstico inicial de síndrome de Usher típico, el 13,6 % recibieron uno posterior de "retinitis pigmentaria asociada con sordera" de "otro síntoma ocular asociado con hipoacusia',' o en forma aislada en una misma familia, de "retinitis pigmentaria" o "hipoacusia'.' Conclusiones. Es fundamental el estudio familiar en los casos en que la clínica no concuerda con el diagnóstico de síndrome de Usher típico. En los pacientes con retinitis pigmentaria asociada con sordera, el diagnóstico clínico acertado permite enfocar los análisis moleculares y, así, establecer un diagnóstico diferencial. Es necesario elaborar guías de nomenclatura en los casos con estos hallazgos atípicos para orientar a médicos e investigadores en cuanto a su correcto manejo.

Introduction: There are several syndromes that associate retinitis pigmentosa with deafness or hearing loss. The most frequent is Usher syndrome, a genetic disorder of autosomal recessive inheritance, which, in some cases, is accompanied by vestibular dysfunction. However, there are cases of families that despite having retinitis pigmentosa associated with deafness, cannot be classified as Usher or other syndromes due to additional findings. Objective: To reassess the phenotypes of 103 families previously diagnosed as possible Usher syndrome and/or retinitis pigmentosa associated with deafness. Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of 103 families with a probable clinical diagnosis of Usher syndrome and/or retinitis pigmentosa associated with deafness. Families whose clinical diagnosis did not correspond to the typical Usher syndrome were selected and evaluated ophthalmologically and audiologically. Demographic and clinical variables were analyzed. Results: We selected and then reevaluated 14 families and 55 individuals as they did not correspond to a clinical diagnosis of Usher syndrome; 13.6% of the families initially considered to have typical Usher syndrome were later diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa associated with deafness, another ocular symptom associated with hearing loss, retinitis pigmentosa, or isolated hearing loss in the same family. Conclusions: Family studies are essential in cases where the symptoms do not match the typical Usher' syndrome. In the cases of retinitis pigmentosa associated with deafness, a correct clinical diagnosis allows for focusing on the molecular analyses to establish a differential diagnosis. The need for nomenclature guidelines on these atypical findings is relevant to aid physicians and researchers in the best approach to these cases.

Analysis of C2ORF71 gene variant in a Chinese patient with retinitis pigmentosa / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).@*METHODS@#Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen potential variant in the proband. Candidate variants were determined by taking consideration of clinical phenotype. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the variant in the proband and his parents.@*RESULTS@#The proband was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of c.8G>A (p.Cys3Tyr) and c.958_959insA (p.Arg320Glnfs*29) in the C2ORF71 gene, which has derived from his father and mother, respectively. Both variants were unreported previously. Based on the ACMG guidelines, they were predicted to be likely pathogenic and pathogenic, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The novel compound heterozygous variants of the C2ORF71 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of RP in the proband. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of C2ORF71 gene mutations and facilitated genetic counseling for the family.

Long-term follow-up of a case of choroidal neovascularization secondary to reticular pigmentary retinal dystrophy / Seguimento de longo-prazo de um caso de neovascularização de coroide secundária à distrofia reticular pigmentar da retina

ABSTRACT Reticular pigmentary retinal dystrophy, also known as Sjögren's reticular dystrophy, is a rare condition characterized by macular lesions with a reticular pattern, which are best seen on fluorescein angiogram. Choroidal neovascularization secondary to this type of dystrophy is even less common. This report describes a case of reticular pigmentary retinal dystrophy with vision loss due to neovascular membrane, which responded well to treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor.

RESUMO A distrofia reticular pigmentar da retina, também conhecida como distrofia reticular de Sjögren, é uma doença rara, caracterizada por lesões maculares com um padrão reticular, que são mais bem visualizadas na angiografia com fluoresceína. A neovascularização de coroide secundária a este tipo de distrofia é ainda menos comum. Este relato descreve um caso de distrofia reticular pigmentar da retina, com perda de visão devido à membrana neovascular, que respondeu bem ao tratamento com fator de crescimento endotelial antivascular.

Acute retinal pigment epitheliitis: a case presentation and literature review / Epitelite pigmentar retiniana aguda: apresentação de caso e revisão da literatura

ABSTRACT Acute retinal pigment epitheliitis (ARPE) is an idiopathic, self-limiting inflammatory retinal disorder that particularly affects healthy young individuals. The characteristic fundoscopic appearance of the acute retinal pigment epitheliitis includes a fine pigment stippling surrounded by a yellow-white hypopigmented halos in the macula. Although the exact pathogenesis of the disease remains unknown, some reports have suggested a relationship between a viral infection and acute retinal pigment epitheliitis. Acute retinal pigment epitheliitis is a rare disorder, and only single case reports or case series are found in the literature. The clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with this disease are not fully understood because of its rarity. In this study, we searched the literature to collect clinical and demographic features of the reported cases. We detail the characteristics of acute retinal pigment epitheliitis were pointed and discuss the pathogenesis of the disease.(AU)

RESUMO A epitelite pigmentar retiniana aguda (EPRA) é uma doença inflamatória idiopática e autolimitada da retina, que afeta especialmente indivíduos jovens e saudáveis. À fundoscopia, a aparência característica dessa entidade é de um pontilhado fino do pigmento, cercado de halos hiperpigmentados branco-amarelados na mácula. A patogênese exata da doença ainda é desconhecida, mas alguns relatos apontam uma relação entre epitelite pigmentar retiniana aguda e infecções virais. A epitelite pigmentar retiniana aguda é uma condição rara e na literatura há apenas relatos de casos individuais ou séries de casos. As características clínicas e demográficas da doença não são totalmente compreendidas, devido à sua raridade. Para este relato, foi feita uma busca na literatura para coletar os dados clínicos e demográficos dos casos relatados. Finalmente, são apontadas as características da epitelite pigmentar retiniana aguda e discute-se a patogênese da doença.(AU)

Genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis for a Chinese pedigree affected with Meckel-Gruber syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To carry out genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis for a Chinese couple whom had conceived two fetuses featuring multiple malformations including polycystic kidney, polydactyly and encephalocele.@*METHODS@#Following elective abortion, the fetus from the second pregnancy was subjected to whole exome sequencing. Suspected pathogenic variants were verified by Sanger sequencing of the fetus and its parents.@*RESULTS@#The fetus was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the CEP290 gene, namely c.2743G>T (p.E915X) and c.2587-2A>T, which were respectively inherited from its father and mother. The same variants were not detected among 100 healthy controls nor reported previously. Bioinformatic analysis suggested both variants to be deleterious. The fetus was diagnosed with Meckel-Gruber syndrome. Prenatal diagnosis for the couple during their next pregnancy suggested that the fetus did not carry the above pathogenic variants.@*CONCLUSION@#The compound heterozygous variants of the CEP290 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of Meckel-Gruber syndrome in the second fetus. Above finding has provided a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the couple, and also enriched the mutational spectrum of the CEP290 gene.

Pseudoretinitis pigmentosa due to syphilis: a case report and literature review / Pseudorretinose pigmentária por sífilis: relato de caso e revisão de literatura

ABSTRACT Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Ocular involvement can occur at any time, and it may affect 10% of patients in the secondary stage, and from 2% to 5% in the tertiary stage. Uveitis is the most common presentation of ocular syphilis, affecting 0.4% to 8% of patients with systemic disease. Chorioretinitis is the most common posterior alteration. We present the case of a 53-year-old male patient, presenting with bilateral low visual acuity and nyctalopia for 3 years. His physical examination revealed decreased pupillary reflex, anterior vitreous cells, physiologic papillae, arteriolar attenuation, reduced foveal reflex, diffuse retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, peripapillary and perivascular punctate pigment accumulation and peripheral chorioretinitis. Full-field electroretinogram was extinct in both eyes. Treponemal syphilis test was positive. Previously diagnosed as retinitis pigmentosa, evolved to blindness, despite proper treatment. Our case shows syphilis as a significant cause of blindness. Atypical presentations of retinitis pigmentosa must warn ophthalmologists to etiologies of pseudoretinitis pigmentosa, such as syphilis.

RESUMO A sífilis é uma infecção sexualmente transmissível causada pela espiroqueta Treponema pallidum. A sífilis ocular pode ocorrer em qualquer estágio da doença, chegando a 10% na forma secundária e a 2% a 5% em sua forma terciária. A uveíte é a manifestação ocular mais comum, ocorrendo em 0,4% a 8% dos pacientes com a doença sistêmica. A coriorretinite é a manifestação mais comum do segmento posterior. Apresentamos o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 53 anos, com queixa de baixa acuidade visual e nictalopia há ٣ anos. Seu exame físico revelou lentificação dos reflexos pupilares, celularidade no vítreo anterior, papilas fisiológicas, atenuação arteriolar, redução do reflexo foveal, atrofia difusa do epitélio pigmentar da retina, acúmulo punctato de pigmento em regiões peripapilar e perivascular e coriorretinite periférica. Eletrorretinograma de campo total extinto em ambos os olhos. O teste treponêmico foi positivo. Foi previamente diagnosticado como portador de retinose pigmentar, evoluindo com cegueira, a despeito do tratamento correto instituído. Esse caso mostra a sífilis como importante causadora de cegueira. Casos atípicos de retinose pigmentar devem alertar o oftalmologista para causas de pseudorretinose pigmentar, como a sífilis.

Optical coherence tomography detection of changes in inner retinal and choroidal thicknesses in patients with early retinitis pigmentosa / Detecção por tomografia de coerência óptica das alterações da retina interna e da espessura de coroide em pacientes com retinite pigmentosa precoce

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the inner retinal and choroidal thicknesses in patients with early retinitis pigmentosa. Methods: We analyzed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images of 35 retinitis pigmentosa patients and 40 healthy individuals. We measured macular and ganglion cell complex thicknesses. We took choroidal thickness measurements in the subfoveal region and 500, 1,000, and 1,500 mm from the foveal center. Results: Patients with retinitis pigmentosa had significantly thinner macular thicknesses and choroidal thicknesses in all measurements, and their individual ganglion cell complex thickness measurements were lower than those in healthy individuals. The mean ganglion cell complex thickness was significantly lower in patients with retinitis pigmentosa than that in controls. The mean macular thickness was significantly correlated with the mean choroidal and mean ganglion cell complex thicknesses. (We found no correlation between the mean choroidal thickness and the mean ganglion cell complex thickness). Conclusions: The choroid was mildly affected in our patients with early retinitis pigmentosa. The tendency toward significance in the inner retina was possibly caused by a good visual acuity.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as espessuras internas da retina e da coroide em pacientes com retinite pigmentosa precoce. Métodos: Foram analisadas imagens de tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral de 35 pacientes com retinite pigmentosa e 40 indivíduos saudáveis. Medimos a espessura do complexo de células maculares e ganglionares. Realizamos medições da espessura da coroide na região subfoveal e a 500 mm, 1000 mm e 1500 mm do centro da fóvea. Resultados: Pacientes com retinite pigmentosa apresentaram espessuras maculares e da coroide significativamente mais finas em todas as medições e suas medidas individuais da espessura do complexo de células ganglionares foram inferiores às de indivíduos saudáveis. A espessura média do complexo de células ganglionares foi significativamente menor nos pacientes com retinite pigmentosa do que nos controles. A espessura macular média foi significativamente correlacionada com as espessuras médias do complexo das células de coroide e das células ganglionares médias. Não encontramos correlação entre a espessura media da coroide e a espessura media do complexo de células ganglionares. Conclusões: A coroide foi levemente afetada em nossos pacientes com retinite pigmentosa precoce. A tendência à significância na retina interna foi possivelmente causada por uma boa acuidade visual.

Caracterización clínico-epidemiológica en pacientes discapacitados visuales por retinosis pigmentaria. Sancti Spíritus. 2009-2019 / Clinical and epidemiological characterization in visual impaired patients due to retinitis pigmentosa. Sancti Spíritus. 2009-2019

RESUMEN Fundamento: La retinosis pigmentaria constituye una causa de discapacidad visual que provoca alteraciones psicológicas y sociales al paciente. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas en pacientes discapacitados visuales por retinosis pigmentaria de la provincia Sancti Spíritus. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, que incluyó 140 pacientes discapacitados visuales afectados por retinosis pigmentaria. Resultados: El grupo etario entre los 29 y 56 años fue el más afectado (78.1 %), el 65 % era del sexo masculino, predominó el color blanco de la piel (87.1 %), sobresalió la catarata como la afección ocular (13.6 %), el 16.4 % presentó hipertensión arterial; la mayoría de los discapacitados no presentó hábitos tóxicos (55 %), prevaleció el debut precoz en el 70 % de los casos. La forma típica de la enfermedad se observó en el 98.5 % de los enfermos, el 67 % manifestó un estadio clínico de la enfermedad grado IV, así como la herencia autosómica recesiva en el 36.4 %. Conclusiones: Predominio de los enfermos en los grupos etario entre 29 y 56 años, masculino, color blanco de la piel; la catarata como patología ocular más frecuente junto a la hipertensión arterial dentro las enfermedades sistémicas; la mayoría de los discapacitados no presentó hábitos tóxicos. El debut precoz, la forma típica, el estadio IV de la enfermedad, así como la herencia autosómica dominante prevalecieron en el estudio.

ABSTRACT Background: Retinitis pigmentosa is a cause of visual impairment that causes psychological and social alterations to the patient. Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics in visual impaired patients due to retinitis pigmentosa in Sancti Spíritus province. Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out, which included 140 visual impaired patients affected by retinitis pigmentosa. Results: The age group between 29 and 56 years old was the most affected (78.1 %), 65 % were male, white skin predominated (87.1 %), cataract stood out as an eye condition (13.6 %), 16.4 % presented arterial hypertension; most of the disabled did not present toxic habits (55 %), early debut prevailed in 70 % of cases. The typical form of the disease was observed in 98.5 % of patients, 67 % showed a clinical stage of grade IV disease, as well as autosomal recessive inheritance in 36.4 %. Conclusions: Prevalence of patients in the age groups between 29 and 56 years, male, white skin color; cataract as the most frequent ocular pathology together with arterial hypertension within systemic diseases; the majority of the disabled patients did not show toxic habits. Early debut, typical form, stage IV disease, and autosomal dominant inheritance prevailed in the study.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Associated with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome with BBS9 Gene Mutation in a Korean Patient

No abstract available.

Integración de la Bioinformática en la caracterización Clínica y Genómica de Retinitis Pigmentosa, Síndrome de Noonan y Síndrome de Retraso Mental Martin-Probs, en un mismo individuo. Reporte de un Caso / Integration of Bioinformatics in the Clinical and Genomic Characterization of Retinitis Pigmentosa, Noonan Syndrome and Martin-Probs Mental Retardation Syndrome, in the Same Individual. Case report

Introducción: El avance en las técnicas bioinformáticas ha permitido realizar acercamientos y mejoras en los diagnósticos clínicos, correlacionando genotipo ­ fenotipo y permitiendo el acercamiento a una terapia personalizada. Objetivo: Realizar mediante técnicas bioinformáticas, la caracterización molecular y de expresión génica de una paciente con manifestaciones clínicas (dismorfias, retraso en el desarrollo) de una enfermedad compleja (poligénica). Materiales y métodos: Se realizó la secuenciación de exoma completo a partir de una muestra de sangre periférica. Se analizaron los datos obtenidos mediante análisis in-sílico, utilizando programas como SIFT, Mutation Tester, UMD y Provean, para determinar la significancia clínica de variantes encontradas; además se usó programa GeneMania para determinar las interacciones génicas. Resultados:Se encontraron 3 variantes en los genes SEMA4A, PTPN11 y RAB40A, asociados a Retinitis pigmentosa 35, Síndrome de Noonan y Sindrome de retraso mental Martin-Probs, respectivamente; encontrando según los softwares predictores, en el primer caso un significado clínico aparentemente benigno, y en los dos últimos genes un significado clínico patogénico. El análisis de redes génicas reveló alteraciones en funciones biológicas como la señalización mediada por fosfatidilinositol, respuesta al factor del crecimiento fibroblástico, vía de señalización de neutrofina y la morfogénesis de vasos sanguíneo que permitieron explicar gran parte de la sintomatología observada. Conclusión: El análisis personalizado de las patologías complejas mediante el uso de la clínica, herramientas genómicas y bioinformaticas han permitido un avance significativo en las técnicas para el procesamiento y análisis de datos, beneficiando los estudios científicos que permiten el acercamiento a un correcto diagnóstico y adecuada consejería genética.

Introduction: Advances in bioinformatics techniques have allowed approaches and improvements in clinical diagnoses, correlating genotype - phenotype and allowing the approach to personalized therapy. Objective: In order to perform the molecular characterization and gene expression in a patient with complex clinical manifestations through bioinformatics techniques, complete exome sequencing was performed by a peripheral blood sample to a woman with facial dysmorphisms and developmental disorders. Material and methods: We analyzed the data obtained by in-silico analysis, using programs such as SIFT, Mutation Tester, UMD and Provean, to determine the clinical significance of the found variants and GeneMania program was used to determine gene interactions. Results: 3 variants were found in the genes SEMA4A, PTPN11 and RAB40A, associated with Retinitis pigmentosa 35, Noonan Syndrome and Mental Retardation Syndrome Martin-Probs, respectively; according to the predictive softwares, in the first case an apparently benign clinical meaning, and in the last two genes a clinical pathogenic meaning. The analysis of gene networks revealed alterations in biological functions such as signaling mediated by phosphatidylinositol, response to the fibroblastic growth factor, neutrophin signaling pathway and blood vessel morphogenesis that allowed us to explain a large part of the observed symptomatology. Conclusion: The personalized analysis of complex pathologies through the use of clinical, genomic and bioinformatic tools has allowed a significant advance in techniques for processing and analyzing data, benefiting scientific studies that allow the approach to a correct diagnosis and adequate genetic counseling.

Anterior chamber characteristics assessed by rotating Scheimpflug imaging in patients with retinitis pigmentosa / Características da câmara anterior avaliadas por um dispositivo de imagem rotativo Scheimpflug em pacientes com retinite pigmentosa

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate anterior segment parameters and corneal aberrations in patients with retinitis pigmentosa using Scheimpflug imaging and to compare the findings with those for healthy controls. Methods: This single-center, case-control study included patients diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa who were followed up at the Department of Ophthalmology of Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between February and June 2018. Age- and sex-matched healthy individuals with no known ophthalmologic disease formed the control group. Both patients with retinitis pigmentosa and controls underwent comprehensive ophthalmic assessments, including the measurement of the best-corrected visual acuity calculation of the spherical equivalent, slit-lamp examination, stereoscopic fundus examination, computerized visual field test, and electroretinography. Topographic and aberrometric values were measured using Scheimpflug-based tomography. Results: This study was performed on 52 eyes of 26 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (14 men) and 52 eyes of 26 healthy controls (11 men). The average keratometry (K avg) values for the patient and control groups were similar (43.87 ± 2.23 versus 43.61 ± 1.68; p=0.546), but the maximum keratometry (K max) value was significantly higher in the patient group (45.85 ± 2.35 and 44.69 ± 1.86; p=0.015). Patients with retinitis pigmentosa had a significantly lower central corneal thickness (518.5 ± 42.3 versus 534.1 ± 24.5, respectively; p=0.042) and maximal corneal thickness (509.1 ± 50.5 versus 530.5 ± 24.1, respectively; p=0.015). Additionally, the iridocorneal angle for the patients was significantly lower (31.6 ± 9.2 versus 35.9 ± 7.7, p=0.025). The aberrometric findings indicated that patients with retinitis pigmentosa had significantly more higher-order aberrations than those in the healthy controls (0.794 ± 51 and 0.398 ± 08, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrated that patients with retinitis pigmentosa have different anterior segment parameters and corneal aberrations compared to healthy controls. These results should be supported by further studies.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo visou avaliar parâmetros do segmento anterior e aberrações corneanas em pacientes com retinite pigmentosa através de imagens de Scheimpflug e comparar os achados com os de controles saudáveis. Métodos: Este foi um estudo caso-controle unicêntrico que incluiu pacientes com o diagnóstico de retinite pigmentosa em acompanhamento no Departamento de Oftalmologia do Hospital de Treinamento e Pesquisa de Kayseri, entre fevereiro e junho de 2018. Indivíduos saudáveis pareados por idade e sexo, sem nenhum conhecimento da doença oftalmológica formou o grupo controle. Ambos os pacientes com retinite pigmentosa quanto os controles foram submetidos a avaliações oftalmológicas abrangentes, incluindo a medição do cálculo da acuidade visual melhor corrigida, o cálculo do equivalente esférico, biomicroscopia, fundoscopia estereoscópica, campimetria computadorizada e eletrorretinografia. Os valores topográficos e de aberrometria foram medidos através de tomografia baseada no sistema Scheimpflug. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 52 olhos de 26 pacientes com retinite pigmentosa (14 homens) e 52 olhos de 26 controles saudáveis (11 homens). Os valores médios da ceratometria (K avg) para grupos dos pacientes e controle foram semelhantes (43,87 ± 2,23 versus 43,61 ± 1,68, p=0,546), mas o valor máximo da ceratometria (K max) foi significativamente maior no grupo de pacientes (45,85 ± 2,35 e 44,69 ± 1,86; p=0,015). Pacientes com retinite pigmentosa apresentaram uma espessura corneana central significativamente menor (518,5 ± 42,3 versus 534,1 ± 24,5, respectivamente; p=0,042) e espessura corneana máxima (509,1 ± 50,5 verus 530,5 ± 24,1, respectivamente; p=0,015). Além disso, o ângulo iridocorneano para os pacientes foi significativamente menor (31,6 ± 9,2 versus 35,9 ± 7,7; p=0,025). Os achados da aberrometria indicaram que os pacientes com retinite pigmentosa apresentaram significativamente mais aberrações de ordem superior em comparação com os controles saudáveis (respectivamente 0,794 ± 51 e 0,398 ± 08, respectivamente; p<0,001). Conclusões: Os resultados do presente estudo demonstraram que pacientes com retinite pigmentosa têm diferentes parâmetros do segmento anterior e aberrações corneanas em comparação com controles saudáveis. Estes resultados precisam ser confirmados por novos estudos.

Genetic Mutation Profiles in Korean Patients with Inherited Retinal Diseases

BACKGROUND: Because of genetically and phenotypically heterogenous features, identification of causative genes for inherited retinal diseases (IRD) is essential for diagnosis and treatment in coming gene therapy era. To date, there are no large-scale data of the genes responsible for IRD in Korea. The aim of this study was to identify the distribution of genetic defects in IRD patients in Korea. METHODS: Medical records and DNA samples from 86 clinically diagnosed IRD patients were consecutively collected between July 2011 and May 2015. We applied the next-generation sequencing strategy (gene panel) for screening 204 known pathogenic genes associated with IRD. RESULTS: Molecular diagnoses were made in 38/86 (44.2%) IRD patients: 18/44 (40.9%) retinitis pigmentosa (RP), 8/22 (36.4%) cone dystrophy, 6/7 (85.7%) Stargardt disease, 1/1 (100%) Best disease, 1/1 (100%) Bardet-Biedl syndrome, 1/1 (100%) congenital stationary night blindness, 1/1 (100%) choroideremia, and 2/8 (25%) other macular dystrophies. ABCA4 was the most common causative gene associated with IRD and was responsible for causing Stargardt disease (n = 6), RP (n = 1), and cone dystrophy (n = 1). In particular, mutations in EYS were found in 4 of 14 autosomal recessive RP (29%). All cases of Stargardt disease had a mutation in the ABCA4 gene with an autosomal recessive trait. CONCLUSION: This study provided the distribution of genetic mutations responsible for causing IRD in the Korean patients. This data will serve as a reference for future genetic screening and treatment for Korean IRD patients.

Identification of a novel RHO mutation in a pedigree affected with retinitis pigmentosa / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To identify the pathogenic mutation underlying retinitis pigmentosa in a large pedigree.@*METHODS@#The pedigree has included three generations showing an autosomal dominant transmission of retinitis pigmentosa. Potential mutations were screened using a retinitis pigmentosa gene panel and an Ion PGM platform. Suspected mutation was verified by Sanger sequencing.@*RESULTS@#A novel heterozygous missense mutation, c.251T>C(p.Leu84Pro), was identified in the RHO gene. The mutation has co-segregated with the retinitis pigmentosa phenotype among all family members and was not found in public databases ExAC, 1000G and dbSNP or 831 healthy controls. The mutation was predicted to be damaging by three major protein-predicting software.@*CONCLUSION@#The c.251T>C (p.Leu84Pro) mutation of the RHO gene is a novel pathogenic mutation underlying the retinitis pigmentosa phenotype in this pedigree. Above findings have enabled prenatal diagnosis for the pedigree.

Surgical Repair of a Full-thickness Macular Hole in Retinitis Pigmentosa: a Case Report

PURPOSE: To report the long-term outcome after surgical repair of a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). CASE SUMMARY: A 55-year-old male who had been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in both eyes 5 years earlier presented with decreased visual acuity in his left eye over the last 6 months. On examination, his Snellen best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.0 in the right eye and 0.3 in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment was remarkable only for posterior chamber intraocular lenses in each eye. Fundus examination demonstrated extensive bony spicule-like pigmentation in the mid-peripheral region in both eyes and a FTMH with approximately one-third disc diameter in the left eye. The optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings confirmed a FTMH with a surrounding cuff of intraretinal fluid and vitreomacular traction in the left eye. The patient underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with indocyanine green-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade. One week postoperatively, an anatomically well-sealed macular hole was confirmed by OCT. At the 3-month postoperative follow-up, the BCVA improved to 0.63 and the hole remained closed until his last follow-up (postoperative 6 years). CONCLUSIONS: Although macular hole is a rare occurrence in RP patients, it should be considered as a cause of significant visual loss in patients with this disorder. Our case suggested that over the long-term, PPV may be tolerable in the management for FTMH in RP.

Generation of Retinal Pigmented Epithelium-Like Cells from Pigmented Spheres Differentiated from Bone Marrow Stromal Cell-Derived Neurospheres

BACKGROUND: Retinal degeneration causes blindness, and cell replacement is a potential therapy. The purpose of this study is to formation of pigmented neurospheres in a simple medium, low-cost, high-performance manner over a short period of time while expressing markers of RPE cells and the activation of specific genes of the pigment cells. Also, these neurospheres have the ability to produce a monolayer of retinal pigment epithelium-like cells (RPELC) with the ability of photoreceptor outer segment phagocytosis. METHODS: BMSC were isolated from pigmented hooded male rats and were immunoreactive to BMSC markers, then converted into neurospheres, differentiated into pigmented spheres (PS), and characterized using Retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein (RPE65), Retinaldehyde-binding protein 1 (CRALBP) and orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) markers by immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. The PS were harvested into RPELC. The functionality of RPELC was evaluated by phagocytosis of fluorescein-labeled photoreceptor outer segment. RESULTS: The BMSC immunophenotype was confirmed by immunostained for fibronectin, CD90, CD166 and CD44. These cells differentiated into osteogenic and lipogenic cells. The generated neurospheres were immunoreactive to nestin and stemness genes. The PS after 7–14 days were positive for RPE65 (92.76–100%), CRALBP (95.21–100%) and OTX2 (94.88–100%), and after 30 days RT-PCR, qPCR revealed increasing in gene expression. The PS formed a single layer of RPELC after cultivation and phagocyte photoreceptor outer segments. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow stromal stem cells can differentiate into functional retinal pigmented epithelium cells in a simple, low-cost, high-performancemanner over a short period of time. These cells due to expressing theRPELCgenes andmarkers can be used in cell replacement therapy for degenerative diseases including age-relatedmacular degeneration as well as retinitis pigmentosa.