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The etiologies of non-CF bronchiectasis in childhood: a systematic review of 989 subjects.

BMC Pediatr. 2014 Dec 10;14(1):299

Authors: Brower KS, Del Vecchio MT, Aronoff SC

Abstract
BackgroundWhile cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common cause of bronchiectasis in childhood, non-CF bronchiectasis is associated with a wide variety of disorders. The objective of this study was to determine the relative prevalence and specific etiologies on non-CF bronchiectasis in childhood.MethodsEMBASE, Medline, OVID Cochrane Reviews, Directory of Open Access Journals, Open Science Directory, EPSCO information services, and OAlster were searched electronically and the bibliographies of selected studies were searched manually. The search was conducted independently by 2 authors. Study Selection: (1) any clinical trial, observational study or cross-sectional case series of 10 or more patients with a description of the conditions associated with bronchiectasis; (2) subjects aged 21 years or younger; (3) cystic fibrosis was excluded and; (4) the diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography of the chest. Data Extraction: Patient number, age range, inclusion criteria, diagnostic criteria, patient source, and categorical and specific etiology.ResultsFrom 491 studies identified, 12 studies encompassing 989 children with non-CF bronchiectasis were selected. Sixty-three percent of the subjects had an underlying disorder. Infectious (17%), primary immunodeficiency (16%), aspiration (10%), ciliary dyskinesia (9%), congenital malformation (3%), and secondary immunodeficiency (3%) were the most common disease categories; 999 etiologies were identified. Severe pneumonia of bacterial or viral etiology and B cell defects were the most common disorders identified.ConclusionsThe majority of children with non-CF bronchiectasis have an underlying disorder. A focused history and laboratory investigated is recommended.

PMID: 25492164 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Incidence, Presentation, and Prognosis of Malignancies in Ataxia-Telangiectasia: A Report From the French National Registry of Primary Immune Deficiencies.

J Clin Oncol. 2014 Dec 8;

Authors: Suarez F, Mahlaoui N, Canioni D, Andriamanga C, d’Enghien CD, Brousse N, Jais JP, Fischer A, Hermine O, Stoppa-Lyonnet D

Abstract
PURPOSE: Biallelic mutations in ATM cause ataxia-telangiectasia (AT), a rare inherited disease with a high incidence of cancer. Precise estimates of the risk, presentation, and outcomes of cancer in patients with AT need to be addressed in large series.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this large retrospective cohort, 69 patients with cancers (24.5%) were identified among 279 patients with AT. Centralized review was performed on 60% of the lymphomas. Incidence rates were compared with the French population, and risk factors were analyzed.
RESULTS: Eight patients developed acute leukemias (including four T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias), 12 developed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), 38 developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), three developed T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), and eight developed carcinoma at a median age of 8.3, 10.6, 9.7, 24.2, and 31.4 years, respectively (P < .001). The majority of NHLs were aggressive B-cell NHL. Epstein-Barr virus was associated with all of the HLs and 50% of the NHLs. Overall survival was shorter in patients with AT who developed cancer compared with those who did not develop cancer (15 v 24 years, respectively; P < .001). Survival was improved in patients who achieved a major response to treatment (3.46 v 0.87 years for major v minor responses, respectively; P = .011). Immunodeficiency was associated with increased risk of cancer. ATM mutation type was associated with a difference in survival in the entire cohort but not with cancer incidence or cancer survival.
CONCLUSION: B-cell NHL, HL, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia occur at a high rate and earlier age than carcinomas in AT. T-PLLs are rarer than initially reported. Prognosis is poor, but patients may benefit from treatment with an improved survival.

PMID: 25488969 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Atypical Manifestation of LRBA Deficiency with Predominant IBD-like Phenotype.

Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2014 Dec 4;

Authors: Serwas NK, Kansu A, Santos-Valente E, Kuloğlu Z, Demir A, Yaman A, Yaneth Gamez Diaz L, Artan R, Sayar E, Ensari A, Grimbacher B, Boztug K

Abstract
BACKGROUND:: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) denote a heterogeneous group of disorders associated with an imbalance of gut microbiome and the immune system. Importance of the immune system in the gut is endorsed by the presence of IBD-like symptoms in several primary immunodeficiencies. A fraction of early-onset IBDs presenting with more severe disease course and incomplete response to conventional treatment is assumed to be inherited in a Mendelian fashion, as exemplified by the recent discovery of interleukin (IL)-10 (receptor) deficiency.
METHODS:: We analyzed a patient born to consanguineous parents suffering from severe intestinal manifestations since 6 months of age and later diagnosed as IBD. Eventually, she developed autoimmune manifestations including thyroiditis and type I diabetes at the age of 6 and 9 years, respectively. Combined single-nucleotide polymorphism array-based homozygosity mapping and exome sequencing was performed to identify the underlying genetic defect. Protein structural predictions were calculated using I-TASSER. Immunoblot was performed to assess protein expression. Flow cytometric analysis was applied to investigate B-cell subpopulations.
RESULTS:: We identified a homozygous missense mutation (p.Ile2824Pro) in lipopolysaccharide-responsive and beige-like anchor (LRBA) affecting the C-terminal WD40 domain of the protein. In contrast to previously published LRBA-deficient patients, the mutant protein was expressed at similar levels to healthy controls. Immunophenotyping of the index patient revealed normal B-cell subpopulations except increased CD21 B cells.
CONCLUSIONS:: We describe a patient with a novel missense mutation in LRBA who presented with IBD-like symptoms at early age, illustrating that LRBA deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis for IBD(-like) disease even in the absence of overt immunodeficiency.

PMID: 25479458 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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[Mutation analysis of WASP gene and prenatal diagnosis of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome].

Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi. 2014 Sep;52(9):662-6

Authors: Liu N, Shi H, Kong X, Wu Q, Xu X, Bai Q, Feng Y, Zhao Z

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked primary immunodeficiency characterized by microthrombocytopenia, eczema, recurrent infections, and an increased incidence of autoimmunity and malignancies. The patients always have a severe clinical phenotype that can result in death if not diagnosed and treated early in life. The treatment of choice with the best outcome is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, preferably from a matched related donor. But uncertain treatment effect and high treatment cost limit its clinical application. It is the best strategy that avoiding birth of a fetus with defect through prenatal diagnosis at present. This study aimed to analyze the mutation of WASP gene in 4 Chinese families with WAS and to provide prenatal diagnosis for the high-risk fetus.
METHOD: The probands of the four WAS families were all males, one of whom was deceased but had a family history and clinical datas integrated. All the patients were detected with blood routine tests, immunological tests and bone marrow examination. PCR and bilateral direct sequencing of PCR product was carried out in the regions of exon and exon-intron boundaries of WASP gene for 3 probands, 4 mothers and 100 unrelated healthy individuals as control. Prenatal diagnosis was provided for the two fetuses at the first trimester by mutation analysis.
RESULT: Four WASP gene mutations were detected: c.91A > G (p.E31K), c.665C > T (p.R211X), c.397G > A (p.E133K), c.952-953delCC (p. P317fsX18), among which c.952-953delCC (p. P317fsX18) was first reported. Mothers in Family 2, 3 and 4 were carriers of WASP gene mutation, but family 1 was considered as a de-novo mutation. None of the 100 unaffected subjects had the above mutants. Prenatal diagnosis indicated that the fetus in family 2 was male and carried the same mutation as the proband, so the fetus was presumably to be a patient. The parents decided to receive an induced abortion. Following the termination of the pregnancy, the result of gene analysis of the aborted tissues was consistent with prenatal diagnosis. The fetus in family 3 was normal male confirmed by normal test results six months after birth.
CONCLUSION: The 4 mutations of the WASP gene probably were causative to the families of WAS, among which c.952-953delCC was reported for the first time. Prenatal diagnosis by DNA sequencing is the effective method to avoid birth of WAS patient.

PMID: 25476427 [PubMed – in process]

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Clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and outcomes of adult patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Am J Hematol. 2014 Dec 2;

Authors: Otrock ZK, Eby CS

Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by the activation of the mononuclear phagocytic system. The diagnosis of HLH in adults is challenging not only because the majority of the reported data are from pediatric patients, but also because HLH occurs in many disease entities. We report the clinical and laboratory findings and prognostic factors of adult HLH in a large cohort managed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital from 2003 to 2014. Seventy-three patients met the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria. The median age was 51 years (range, 18-82); 41 (56.2%) were male. Patients manifested fever, cytopenias and elevated ferritin in >85% of cases. Likely causes of HLH were as follows: 30 (41.1%) infections, 21 (28.8%) malignancies, 5 (6.8%) attributed to autoimmune disorders, 1 (1.4%) primary immunodeficiency, 2 (2.7%) post solid organ transplantation, and 13 (17.8%) idiopathic. The median overall survival was 7.67 months. Patients with malignancy-associated HLH had a markedly worse survival compared to patients with non-malignancy-associated HLH (median overall survival 1.13 vs. 46.53 months, respectively; p < 0.0001). In a multivariable analysis malignancy (HR = 12.22; 95% CI: 2.53-59.02; p = 0.002) correlated with poor survival. Ferritin >50,000 mcg/L correlated with 30-day mortality. Survival after a diagnosis of HLH is dismal, especially among those with malignancy-associated HLH. The development of a registry for adults with HLH would improve our understanding of this syndrome, validate diagnostic criteria, and help develop effective treatment strategies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 25469675 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Host genetic factors in susceptibility to mycobacterial disease.

Clin Med. 2014 Dec;14 Suppl 6:s17-21

Authors: Duncan CJ, Hambleton S

Abstract
Primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are a group of rare inherited disorders that manifest as heightened susceptibility to infection, autoimmunity and/or malignancy. By exploring their genetic and cellular aetiology, we can learn much about the basis of pathogen-specific immunity in humans. This is exemplified by mycobacterial susceptibility, which occurs across several types of PID, either as an isolated problem or as part of a broader pattern of susceptibility to infection. These experiments of nature have contributed to our understanding of the central role of T cells in activating infected macrophages to eliminate phagosomal mycobacteria through mutually activating, cytokine-dependent interactions. In recent years, the discovery of novel forms of PID has emphasised the important role of dendritic cells and monocytes in mycobacterial defence in humans. Here, we provide a brief overview of these new disorders alongside other genetic causes of susceptibility to mycobacterial disease.

PMID: 25468913 [PubMed – in process]

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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Primary Immunodeficiencies.

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2014 Dec;28(6):1157-1170

Authors: Kang E, Gennery A

Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been shown to be curative for well-described as well as newly discovered immunodeficiencies. However, it is difficulty to define a universal transplant regimen given the rarity of these disorders and the varied pathophysiology these disorders encompass. This article discusses those primary immunodeficiencies most commonly treated by hematopoietic stem cell transplant and describes the transplant issues specific to these disorders.

PMID: 25459185 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Medical immunology: Two-way bridge connecting bench and bedside.

Immunol Lett. 2014 Oct 16;162(2PB):127-133

Authors: Rijkers GT, Damoiseaux JG, Hooijkaas H

Abstract
Medical immunology in The Netherlands is a laboratory specialism dealing with immunological analyses as well as pre- and post-analytical consultation to clinicians (clinical immunologists and other specialists) involved in patients with immune mediated diseases. The scope of medical immunology includes immunodeficiencies, autoimmune diseases, allergy, transfusion and transplantation immunology, and lymphoproliferative disorders plus the monitoring of these patients. The training, professional criteria, quality control of procedures and laboratories is well organized. As examples of the bridge function of medical immunology between laboratory (bench) and patient (bedside) the contribution of medical immunologists to diagnosis and treatment of primary immunodeficiency diseases (in particular: humoral immunodeficiencies) as well as autoantibodies (anti-citrullinated proteins in rheumatoid arthritis) are given.

PMID: 25455599 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Identification of a novel non-coding mutation in C1qB in a Dutch child with C1q deficiency associated with recurrent infections.

Immunobiology. 2014 Oct 18;

Authors: van Schaarenburg RA, Daha NA, Schonkeren JJ, Nivine Levarht EW, van Gijlswijk-Janssen DJ, Kurreeman FA, Roos A, van Kooten C, Koelman CA, Ernst-Kruis MR, Toes RE, Huizinga TW, Lankester AC, Trouw LA

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: C1q deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that is strongly associated with development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Several mutations in the coding regions of the C1q genes have been described that result in stop-codons or other genetic abnormalities ultimately leading to C1q deficiency. Here we report on a Dutch boy suffering from recurrent infections with a complete C1q deficiency, without any SLE symptoms.
METHODS: The presence of C1q in serum was assessed using ELISA and hemolytic assay. By western blot we examined the different C1q chains in cell lysates. We identified the mutation using deep-sequencing. By qPCR we studied the mRNA expression of C1qA, C1qB and C1qC in the PBMCs of the patient.
RESULTS: Deep-sequencing revealed a homozygous mutation in the non-coding region of C1qB in the patient, whereas both parents were heterozygous. The mutation is located two nucleotides before the splice site of the second exon. In-silico analyses predict a complete abrogation of this natural splice site. Analyses of in vitro cultured cells from the patient revealed a lack of production of C1q and intracellular absence of C1qB in the presence of C1qA and C1qC peptides. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed total absence of C1qB mRNA, a reduced level of C1qA mRNA and normal levels of C1qC mRNA.
CONCLUSION: In this study we report a new mutation in the non-coding region of C1qB that is associated with C1q deficiency.

PMID: 25454803 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease: Genetic, immunological, and clinical features of inborn errors of IFN-γ immunity.

Semin Immunol. 2014 Oct 26;26(6):454-470

Authors: Bustamante J, Boisson-Dupuis S, Abel L, Casanova JL

Abstract
Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD) is a rare condition characterized by predisposition to clinical disease caused by weakly virulent mycobacteria, such as BCG vaccines and environmental mycobacteria, in otherwise healthy individuals with no overt abnormalities in routine hematological and immunological tests. MSMD designation does not recapitulate all the clinical features, as patients are also prone to salmonellosis, candidiasis and tuberculosis, and more rarely to infections with other intramacrophagic bacteria, fungi, or parasites, and even, perhaps, a few viruses. Since 1996, nine MSMD-causing genes, including seven autosomal (IFNGR1, IFNGR2, STAT1, IL12B, IL12RB1, ISG15, and IRF8) and two X-linked (NEMO, and CYBB) genes have been discovered. The high level of allelic heterogeneity has already led to the definition of 18 different disorders. The nine gene products are physiologically related, as all are involved in IFN-γ-dependent immunity. These disorders impair the production of (IL12B, IL12RB1, IRF8, ISG15, NEMO) or the response to (IFNGR1, IFNGR2, STAT1, IRF8, CYBB) IFN-γ. These defects account for only about half the known MSMD cases. Patients with MSMD-causing genetic defects may display other infectious diseases, or even remain asymptomatic. Most of these inborn errors do not show complete clinical penetrance for the case-definition phenotype of MSMD. We review here the genetic, immunological, and clinical features of patients with inborn errors of IFN-γ-dependent immunity.

PMID: 25453225 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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