A novel mutation in the GAN gene causes an intermediate form of giant axonal neuropathy in an Arab-Israeli family.

Giant axonal neuropathy is a severe autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder of childhood that affects both the peripheral and central nervous systems. It is caused by mutations in the GAN gene linked to chromosome 16q24.1 At least 45 distinct disease-causing mutations have been identified throughout the gene in families of various ethnic origins, with different symptomatologies and different clinical courses. To date, no characteristic mutation or phenotype-genotype correlation has been established. We describe a novel missense mutation in four siblings born to consanguineous parents of Arab original with clinical and molecular features compatible with giant axonal neuropathy. The phenotype was characterized by a predominant motor and sensory peripheral neuropathies and severe skeletal deformities.

Deletions or duplications in KCNQ2 can cause benign familial neonatal seizures.

BACKGROUND: Benign familial neonatal seizures are most often caused by mutations in the voltage-gated potassium channel subunit gene KCNQ2. More than 60 mutations have been described in BFNS families, approximately half of which lead to protein truncation. The hypothesis of this study was that deletion or duplication of >or=1 exons of KCNQ2 could cause BFNS in cases without coding or splicing mutations. METHODS: Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to test a group of 21 unrelated patients with clinical features consistent with either BFNS, benign familial neonatal-infantile seizures or sporadic neonatal seizures, for exonic deletions and duplications. RESULTS: Three deletions and one duplication mutation were identified in four familial cases and cascade testing of their available family members showed that the mutations segregated with the phenotype in each family. The junction fragment for one of the deletions was amplified by PCR and sequenced to characterise the breakpoint and verify that a deletion had occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Submicroscopic deletions or duplications of KCNQ2 are seen in a significant proportion of BFNS families: four of nine (44%) cases previously testing negative for coding or splice site mutation by sequencing KCNQ2 and KCNQ3. MLPA is an efficient second-tier testing strategy for KCNQ2 to identify pathogenic intragenic mutations not detectable by conventional DNA sequencing methods.

Expanding the phenotypic spectrum of L1CAM-associated disease.

Mutations in the L1CAM gene cause neurological abnormalities of variable severity, including congenital hydrocephalus, agenesis of the corpus callosum, spastic paraplegia, bilaterally adducted thumbs, aphasia, and mental retardation. Inter- and intrafamilial variability is a well-known feature of the L1CAM spectrum, and several patients have a combination of L1CAM mutations and Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR). We report on two siblings with a missense mutation in exon 7 (p.P240L) of the L1CAM gene. In one of the siblings, congenital dislocation of the radial heads and HSCR were present. Neither patient had hydrocephalus, adducted thumbs, or absent speech, but both had a hypoplastic corpus callosum. We suggest that L1CAM mutation testing should be considered in male patients with a positive family history compatible with X-linked inheritance and either the combination of agenesis of the CC and HSCR or the combination of agenesis of the CC and limb abnormalities, including abnormalities other than adducted thumbs.

The CC2D1A, a member of a new gene family with C2 domains, is involved in autosomal recessive non-syndromic mental retardation.

BACKGROUND: The molecular basis of autosomal recessive non-syndromic mental retardation (NSMR) is poorly understood, mostly owing to heterogeneity and absence of clinical criteria for grouping families for linkage analysis. Only two autosomal genes, the PRSS12 gene on chromosome 4q26 and the CRBN on chromosome 3p26, have been shown to cause autosomal recessive NSMR, each gene in only one family. OBJECTIVE: To identify the gene causing autosomal recessive NSMR on chromosome 19p13.12. RESULTS: The candidate region established by homozygosity mapping was narrowed down from 2.4 Mb to 0.9 Mb on chromosome 19p13.12. A protein truncating mutation was identified in the gene CC2D1A in nine consanguineous families with severe autosomal recessive NSMR. The absence of the wild type protein in the lymphoblastoid cells of the patients was confirmed. CC2D1A is a member of a previously uncharacterised gene family that carries two conserved motifs, a C2 domain and a DM14 domain. The C2 domain is found in proteins which function in calcium dependent phospholipid binding; the DM14 domain is unique to the CC2D1A protein family and its role is unknown. CC2D1A is a putative signal transducer participating in positive regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NFkappaB cascade. Expression of CC2D1A mRNA was shown in the embryonic ventricular zone and developing cortical plate in staged mouse embryos, persisting into adulthood, with highest expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: A previously unknown signal transduction pathway is important in human cognitive development.

An autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia syndrome with upward gaze palsy, neuropathy, and seizures.

The authors describe three siblings born to consanguineous parents with early onset ataxia, dysarthria, myoclonic, generalized tonic clonic seizures, upward gaze palsy, extensor plantar reflexes, sensory neuropathy, and normal cognition. Direct screening excluded mutations in FRDA, TDP1,and SACS genes and at 8344, 3243, and 8993 positions of mitochondrial DNA. Linkage analysis excluded AOA-1, EPM1, EPM2A, EPM2B, CAMOS, and recessive ataxias linked to chromosome 9q34-9qter. This clinical constellation may represent a distinct form of early onset cerebellar ataxia.

Infantile bilateral striatal necrosis maps to chromosome 19q.

BACKGROUND: Infantile bilateral striatal necrosis (IBSN) encompasses several syndromes of bilateral symmetric degeneration of the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus. Autosomal recessive IBSN is characterized clinically by developmental arrest beginning at age 7 to 15 months, dysphagia, choreoathetosis, pendular nystagmus and optic atrophy, and severe progressive atrophy of the basal ganglia on MRI. OBJECTIVE: To map the gene causing IBSN. METHODS: A 10-cM genome-wide linkage scan was initially performed on five affected and five unaffected individuals. The extended family was included in the analysis to narrow the candidate region. Logarithm of odds (LOD) score was calculated using the SUPERLINK program. RESULTS: Linkage to the chromosomal region 19q13.32-13.41 was established (Z(max) = 6.27 at theta = 0.02 at locus D19S412). Recombination events and a common disease-bearing haplotype defined a critical region of 1.2 Mb between the loci D19S596 proximally and D19S867 distally. CONCLUSION: IBSN maps to the chromosomal region 19q13.32-13.41. The presence of a common haplotype in all the patients suggests that the disease is caused by a single mutation derived from a single ancestral founder in all the families.

Mapping of a new locus for autosomal recessive non-syndromic mental retardation in the chromosomal region 19p13.12-p13.2: further genetic heterogeneity.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and clinically evaluate four consanguineous families of Israeli Arab origin with non-syndromic mental retardation (NSMR), comprising a total of 10 affected and 24 unaffected individuals. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: All the families originated from the same small village and had the same family name. Association of the condition in these families with the two known autosomal recessive NSMR loci on chromosomes 3p25-pter and 4q24 (neurotrypsin gene) was excluded. RESULTS: Linkage of the disease gene to chromosome 19p13.12-p13.2(Zmax = 7.06 at theta = 0.00) for the marker D19S840 was established. All the affected individuals were found to be homozygous for a common haplotype for the markers cen-RFX1-D19S840-D19S558-D19S221-tel. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the disease is caused by a single mutation derived from a single ancestral founder in all the families. Recombination events and a common disease bearing haplotype defined a critical region of 2.4 Mb, between the loci D19S547 proximally and D19S1165 distally.

Bacterial susceptibility to oral antibiotics in community acquired urinary tract infection.

BACKGROUND: The most common oral antibiotics used in the treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI) are sulphonamides and cephalosporins, but emerging resistance is not unusual. AIMS: To assess the change in susceptibility of urinary pathogens to oral antibiotics during the past decade in children with community acquired UTI. METHODS: The study sample included two groups of children with a first community acquired UTI: 142 children enrolled in 1991 and 124 enrolled in 1999. UTI was diagnosed by properly collected urine specimen (suprapubic aspiration, transurethral catheterisation, or midstream specimen in circumcised males) in symptomatic patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The pathogens recovered in the two groups were similar: in 1991--E coli 86%, Klebsiella 6%, others 8%; in 1999--E coli 82%, Klebsiella 13%, and others 5%. A slight but generalised decrease in bacterial susceptibility to common antibiotics in the two groups was shown: ampicillin 35% versus 30%; cephalexin 82% versus 63% (p < 0.001); nitrofurantoin 93% versus 92%. The only exception was co-trimoxazole, 60% versus 69%. Overall resistance to antibiotics in 1999 was as follows: ampicillin 70%, cephalexin 37%, co-trimoxazole 31%, amoxicillin-clavulanate 24%, nitrofurantoin 8%, cefuroxime-axetil 5%, nalidixic acid 3%. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a slight but generalised decrease in bacterial susceptibility to common oral antibiotics in the past decade in our population. Empirical initial treatment with co-trimoxazole or cephalexin is inadequate in approximately one third of UTI cases. A larger number of pathogens may be empirically treated with amoxicillin-clavulanate (24% resistance); 95% of organisms are susceptible to cefuroxime-axetil.

Familial infantile bilateral striatal necrosis: clinical features and response to biotin treatment.

BACKGROUND: Infantile bilateral striatal necrosis (IBSN) encompasses several syndromes of bilateral symmetric, spongy degeneration of the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus. The familial form of IBSN is rare, and inheritance is either autosomal recessive or maternal. METHOD: The authors describe an Israeli Bedouin kindred in which 15 children born to consanguineous parents were affected with familial IBSN. They evaluated the clinical and radiologic evolution of the disease in 11 patients and the cerebral pathologic findings in one patient. Three of the children were treated with oral biotin 100 mg/day. RESULTS: Inheritance was apparently autosomal recessive. The untreated children had a similar clinical picture including developmental arrest beginning at the age of 7 to 15 months, choreoathetosis, and dysphagia. Pendular nystagmus appeared at a late stage. MRI, performed at various stages of the disease, showed severe basal ganglia atrophy. Postmortem study in one patient showed severe atrophy of the lenticular nuclei with gliosis and loss of neurons. Biotin, 100 mg/day, administered to the proband over a period of 15 months, may have slowed progression. In two other children treatment was initiated earlier and appeared to arrest or improve disease. CONCLUSIONS: Familial infantile bilateral striatal necrosis was inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Clinical features included developmental arrest, dysphagia, and choreoathetosis. Imaging and pathology showed atrophy and degeneration of the basal ganglia. Oral biotin may have benefited three children.

Seventeen novel mutations that cause profound biotinidase deficiency.

We report 17 novel mutations that cause profound biotinidase deficiency. Six of the mutations are due to deletions, whereas the remaining 11 mutations are missense mutations located throughout the gene and encode amino acids that are conserved in mammals. Our results increase the total number of different mutations that cause biotinidase deficiency to 79. These additional mutations will undoubtedly be helpful in identifying structure/function relationships once the three-dimensional structure of biotinidase is determined.

Presence of the d8/17 B-cell marker in children with rheumatic fever in Israel.

A genetic predisoposition to rheumatic fever (RF) has been suspected by several researchers. Ten years ago, using monoclonal antibodies, the B-cell alloantigen D8/17 was identified in 90-100% of patients with RF. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the marker is found in patients with RF in Israel, where the population is made up of diverse ethnic groups. The Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel, was the setting for this study. The population included 22 children with RF and nine ethnically matched, disease-free individuals who served as controls. Each of the patients and controls were tested for the B-cell antigen with flow cytometry assay by using monoclonal antibodies. The main outcome measure was the difference in the presence of the D8/17 B-cell marker between the patients with RF and the controls. The mean percentage of B-cells expressing the marker was 11.5 +/- 2.9 in the patients and 4.24 +/- 2.7 in the controls (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of the marker by ethnic origin. The present results support earlier studies suggesting that D8/17 is a disease-specific marker with a world-wide distribution which may potentially serve as an additional diagnostic tool in patients with suspected RF.

Long-Term outcome of neonatal Citrobacter koseri (diversus) meningitis treated with imipenem/meropenem and surgical drainage.

Neonatal Citrobacter koseri (diversus) meningitis is often complicated by the formation of brain abscesses and has a poor neurological outcome with seizures, mental retardation and paresis as sequelae in 50% of the cases. As there is emerging resistance to ampicillin, gentamicin and third-generation cephalosporins, we attempted to treat this infection with carbapenems. Carbapenems in combination with cefotaxime and surgical drainage may play an important role in treating C. koseri meningitis.

CD14 receptor expression and lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production in preterm and term neonates.

CD14 expression and the capacity of mononuclear cells (MC) from preterm and term neonates to secrete the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL) 1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-6 in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated and compared to that of adults. MC were incubated with various doses of LPS, and the cytokine level in the supernatants was tested. CD14 receptors on MC and the intensity of their expression were analyzed. MC of preterm and term neonates and adults responded to LPS with low, medium and high proinflammatory cytokine production, respectively. CD14 expression was lowest in preterm infants, intermediate in term infants and highest in adults. The difference between term and preterm neonates for both parameters was significant. The results suggest a possible correlation between the lower expression of CD14 receptor on neonatal cells and the reduced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by these cells. This decreased production may possibly contribute to the low ability of neonates to develop fever.

Radial osteomyelitis as a complication of venous cannulation.

Venepuncture of the superficial veins in the forearm is considered a relatively safe procedure. We report two patients who presented with osteomyelitis of the proximal radius following venous cannulation of the median cubital vein, and one patient who developed osteomyelitis of the distal radius after cannulation of the cephalic vein. Osteomyelitis developing in proximity to a venepuncture site should raise the suspicion that a pathogen causing superficial thrombophlebitis has spread through the deep veins of the arm into the adjacent bone, thus causing osteomyelitis.

A syndrome of transient encephalopathy associated with adenovirus infection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Adenovirus is a common pathogen in the pediatric population. Respiratory, gastrointestinal, or renal systems are often involved in adenovirus infections. Several neurologic syndromes have been attributed to adenovirus, such as adenovirus aseptic meningitis, myelitis, subacute focal encephalitis, and Reye-like syndrome. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical features and encephalography findings in 7 infants treated in our center for a syndrome of transient encephalopathy associated with adenovirus infection. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Three females and 4 males ages 7 to 34 months seen in our department between July 1983 and February 1984 and September 1998 and May 1999 presented with fever of at least 7 days' duration and a gradual decline in the state of alertness. Score on the Glasgow Coma Scale ranged from 9 to 12. Findings on lumbar puncture were normal. In all 7 patients, the encephalogram showed moderate to severe background slowing compatible with encephalopathy. All patients were catarrheal and had mild hepatomegaly with slight elevation of liver enzymes. Some had bronchopneumonia, diarrhea, and conjunctivitis either isolated or in combination. METHODS AND RESULTS: Adenovirus was isolated by immunfluorescence technique in all patients-from the sputum in 3 patients, nasopharynx in 5, conjunctiva in 4, and rectal swab in 5. In 5 patients, serotyping was performed by an antibody neutralization method. Adenovirus type 3 was ascertained from a nasal swab in 1 patient, sputum specimens in 3, throat swab in 3, and rectal cultures in 5. The clinical course was characterized by a progressive recovery of alertness. After several days, there was a complete reversal of neurologic findings. CONCLUSION: We suggest that this syndrome of transient encephalopathy is a distinct entity and should be considered as another of the several neurologic syndromes known to be associated with adenovirus infection.

Treatment of calcinosis in juvenile dermatomyositis with probenecid: the role of phosphorus metabolism in the development of calcifications.

OBJECTIVE: To report the efficacy of probenecid for calcinosis of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) and assess the changes in phosphorus metabolism during treatment. METHODS: Biochemical studies of calcium and phosphorus metabolism were performed in a 9-year-old girl with JDM and extensive calcifications before and during probenecid treatment. RESULTS: The calcifications resolved over 18 months of treatment. Probenecid was found to be effective in reducing calcifications by increasing renal phosphate clearance. CONCLUSIONS: The tendency for calcifications in some patients with JDM might be related to an increase in renal phosphate reclamation, and therefore, probenecid treatment may be effective in these patients.

Improvement of atypical acute disseminated encephalomyelitis with steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a demyelinating syndrome that occurs infrequently in children. Various treatment modalities, such as plasmapheresis or steroids or intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), have been prescribed. The article describes the results of combined IVIG and high-dose steroids given for 3 days in the treatment of a patient with atypical encephalomyelitis. The results suggest that this approach may be more beneficial than the application of either drug alone.

Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in children with febrile convulsions.

The production of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was examined in 13 children with and 11 children without any history of febrile convulsions. The results revealed an increase in all types of cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mononuclear cells from individuals of both groups. However, the secretion of IL-6 and IL-10 in response to lipopolysaccharide was higher in those with a previous history of convulsions. Because IL-1 beta production precedes that of IL-10, a cytokine known to suppress IL-1 beta generation, it is possible that its secretion was inhibited partially by the significantly higher amount of IL-10 found after 24 hours of incubation. If this were the case, these findings may explain the comparable levels of IL-1 beta produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from children of both groups. The higher level of IL-1 beta produced by mononuclear cells from children with history of convulsion after 5 hours of incubation with lipopolysaccharide supports this assumption.