Mutation Spectrum of Primary Lipid Storage Myopathies.

Background: Lipid storage myopathies (LSM) constitute an important group of treatable myopathies. Genetic testing is essential for confirming the diagnosis and also helps in explaining phenotypic heterogeneity. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical features and genetic spectrum of LSM seen in a quaternary referral center in India. Methods: Eleven cases of suspected LSM underwent clinical, biochemical, histopathological and genetic evaluation. Tandem Mass Spectrometry and clinical exome sequencing with Sanger validation were performed. Results: All patients had exertion induced myalgia and either progressive or episodic limb girdle muscle weakness (LGMW). The age of onset ranged 10 to 31 years (mean- 21 ± 6.7y), age at presentation- 14 to 49 years (mean- 26.5 ± 9.5y). Mutations identified: ETFDH = 5, CPT2 = 3, FLAD1 = 1, ACADVL = 1, FLAD1 = 1. Dropped head syndrome was seen in two patients with ETFDH mutations. Bulbar symptoms and Beevor's sign were noted in a patient with FLAD1 variant. Novel variants were identified in seven patients. Conclusions: This is the first report on the genetic spectrum of LSM from India. LSM should be considered in patients with exertion induced myalgias, LGMW, cranial nerve involvement or dropped head syndrome. Genetic testing is essential for identification of these treatable disorders.

Megaconial congenital muscular dystrophy secondary to novel CHKB mutations resemble atypical Rett syndrome.

Megaconial congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD)(OMIM #602541), related to CHKB mutation, is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. To date, only 35 confirmed patients are recorded. We present a detailed description of the clinical, histopathological, imaging, and genetic findings of five children from four Indian families. The children had moderate-to-severe autistic behavior, hand stereotypies, and global developmental delay mimicking atypical Rett syndrome. In addition, generalized hypotonia was a common initial finding. The progression of muscle weakness was variable, with two patients having a milder phenotype and three having a severe form. Interestingly, the majority did not attain sphincter control. Only patient 1 had classical ichthyotic skin changes. Muscle biopsy in two patients showed a myopathic pattern with characteristic peripherally placed enlarged mitochondria on modified Gomori trichrome stain and electron microscopy. Genetic analysis in these patients identified three novel null mutations in CHKB [c.1027dupA (p.Ser343LysfsTer86);c.224 + 1G > T (5' splice site); c.1123C > T (p.Gln375Ter)] and one reported missense mutation, c.581G > A (p.Arg194Gln), all in the homozygous state. Megaconial CMD, although rare, forms an important group with a complex phenotypic presentation and accounted for 5.5% of our genetically confirmed CMD patients. Atypical Rett syndrome-like presentation may be a clue towards CHKB-related disorder.

L1CAM Immunopositivity in Anaplastic Supratentorial Ependymomas: Correlation With Clinical and Histological Parameters.

Supratentorial ependymomas (ST EPNs) are molecularly characterized, of which the RELA fusion positive tumors are the most common and aggressive subgroup. Moreover, histologically, anaplastic ST EPN (ST-AE) often mimic other central nervous system primary high-grade tumors resulting in a diagnostic dilemma. We aimed to study a cohort of ST-AE; evaluate the expression of two RELA fusion-associated markers-L1CAM and p65 (NF-κB); and correlate their expression with clinical and histological parameters. Cases of ST-AE diagnosed in our department from January 2011 to June 2016 (n = 72) were reviewed. A battery of immunohistochemical markers was employed. A total of 65 confirmed ST-AE were included in the study. Age ranged from 9 months to 60 years. There was a slight predominance in the pediatric population (57%). Male-to-female ratio was 1:1.16. Histomorphological features were varied and mimicked other high-grade tumors in several cases. L1CAM immunopositive tumors constituted 26% of cases and were predominantly seen in young children, in the frontoparietal location, and exhibited clear cell morphology with calcification. A consistent pattern of L1CAM immunopositivity was noted in paired primary and recurrent tumor samples. Our study portrays the varied clinical and histomorphological spectrum of ST-AE. The study emphasizes the association of L1CAM immunopositivity with a wide spectrum of histological parameters, literature on which is scant till date. Since ST EPN-RELA are tumors with aggressive behavior, such a correlation would be clinically relevant, particularly when there is limited access to molecular testing.

Streptococcus pluranimalium: Emerging Animal Streptococcal Species as Causative Agent of Human Brain Abscess.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pluranimalium is a new and emerging animal streptococcal species associated with primary infection in bovine and avian species. Data in the literature regarding its pathogenic significance in human beings are limited. We hereby report a case of brain abscess caused by S. pluranimalium in a healthy adult male. S. pluranimalium, a causative agent of brain abscess, was unanticipated, and to the best of our knowledge, this is one of the rare cases reported in the medical literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 44-year-old male presented with headache and occasional episodes of vomiting for 2 weeks, weakness of the left upper and lower limbs for 1 week, and 1 episode of generalized tonic clonic seizure 2 days back. He was afebrile and had no history of loss of consciousness or head trauma. His physical and neurologic examination was unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a focal ring enhancing lesion in right posterior parietal lobe, suggestive of infective etiology. The patient underwent right parietooccipital craniotomy and excision of cerebral abscess, from which S. pluranimalium was isolated. The patient responded to treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and metronidazole without any residual neurologic sequelae. CONCLUSION: Clinical data regarding epidemiology, pathogenic mechanisms, and zoonotic potential of S. pluranimalium in human beings are lacking. The number of cases of human infections with S. pluranimalium are steadily increasing. Hence further detailed study of the pathogenesis of S. pluranimalium in human beings is warranted, which may help to develop new strategies to prevent and treat infection with this bacterium.