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Journal of Medical Case Reports Apr 2022Unstable hemoglobinopathies are rare inherited disorders of hemoglobin causing a reduction of hemoglobin molecule solubility. This results in an unstable hemoglobin...
BACKGROUND
Unstable hemoglobinopathies are rare inherited disorders of hemoglobin causing a reduction of hemoglobin molecule solubility. This results in an unstable hemoglobin tetramer/globin polypeptide, which precipitates within the red blood cell. Affected red blood cells have a reduced lifespan due to oxidative stress and cellular rigidity, and tend to be phagocytized by spleen macrophages more rapidly. Unstable hemoglobin is frequently under- or misdiagnosed, because its clinical presentation varies broadly. Therefore, testing for unstable hemoglobinopathies is indicated in cases of unexplained hemolytic anemia. However, this approach is not systematically followed in clinical practice.
CASE REPORT
A 25-year-old Caucasian man with a recent history of a presumed viral upper respiratory infection was referred to the hematology outpatient clinic because of hemolytic anemia. The patient had scleral icterus, moderate splenomegaly, and mild macrocytic anemia with high reticulocyte count. Unconjugated bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase were elevated. Haptoglobin was undetectable. Direct antiglobulin test was negative. Blood smear examination revealed anisopoikilocytosis, polychromasia, bite cells, and basophilic stippling, but no Heinz bodies. High-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis showed slightly increased hemoglobin A2, normal fetal hemoglobin, and a variant hemoglobin. Deoxyribonucleic Acid sequencing revealed the heterozygous mutation c430delC in the beta-globin gene hallmark of hemoglobin Montreal II and the heterozygous mutation c287C>T in the alpha-globin gene corresponding to hemoglobin G-Georgia, indicative of the not yet described combination of double-heterozygous hemoglobin Montreal II and hemoglobin G-Georgia variants. Hemoglobinopathy Montreal II was here not associated with β-thalassemia syndrome, and carriers did not show ineffective erythropoiesis. In addition to the case report, we provide information about the largest pedigree with hemoglobinopathy Montreal II identified to date.
CONCLUSION
We emphasize that a transitory acute condition may uncover an underlying inherited red blood cell disorder. In this regard, awareness should be raised among hematologists caring for adult patients that unstable hemoglobinopathies should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hemolytic anemias.
Topics: Adult; Anemia, Hemolytic; Hemoglobinopathies; Hemoglobins, Abnormal; Hemolysis; Humans; Male; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 35397565
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-022-03374-y -
Stem Cell Research Dec 2022Mutations in CAD gene, encoding a multifunctional enzyme involved in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, has been reported to be associated with early-onset epileptic...
Mutations in CAD gene, encoding a multifunctional enzyme involved in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, has been reported to be associated with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy (EOEE). Herein, we generated an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from the skin fibroblasts of a five-year-old boy with CAD deficiency, presented with developmental delay, refractory epilepsy, anemia with anisopoikilocytosis, and dramatic responsive to supplementation with oral uridine, carrying biallelic mutations, c.108delC (p.Tyr36Tyrfs*15) and c.3775G>A (p.Val1259Met) in CAD. These iPSCs exhibited stable amplification, expressed pluripotent markers, and differentiated spontaneously into three germ layers in vitro.
Topics: Humans; Child, Preschool; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; Uridine; Brain Diseases
PubMed: 36283272
DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2022.102947 -
Brain & Development Aug 2024CAD (MIM*114010) encodes a large multifunctional protein with the enzymatic activity of the first three enzymes initiating and controlling the de novo pyrimidine...
INTRODUCTION
CAD (MIM*114010) encodes a large multifunctional protein with the enzymatic activity of the first three enzymes initiating and controlling the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. Biallelic pathogenic variants in CAD cause the autosomal recessive developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 50 (MIM #616457) or CAD deficiency presenting with epilepsy, status epilepticus (SE), neurological deterioration and anemia with anisopoikilocytosis. Mortality is around 9% of patients, mainly related to the no use of its specific treatment with uridine. Majority of reported cases have an early onset during infancy, with some few starting later in childhood.
CASE REPORT
Here we report a deceased female patient with CAD deficiency whose epilepsy started at 14 years. She showed a rapid neurologic deterioration including cognitive decline, electroencephalographic background slowing which later evolved to a fatal refractory SE and supra and infratentorial atrophy on neuroimaging. Anemia developed after SE onset.
METHODS AND RESULTS
her post-mortem whole exome sequencing identified biallelic missense variants in CAD (NM_004341.5): c.[2944G > A];[5366G > A] p.[(Asp982Asn)];[(Arg1789Gln)]. Our review of twenty-eight reported cases (2015-2023) revealed an epilepsy age onset from neonatal period to 7 years and the SE prevalence of 46 %.
DISCUSSION
With our case, we highlight the relevance of suspecting this treatable condition in older patients and in SE with no evident etiology.
Topics: Humans; Female; Epilepsy; Adolescent; Dihydroorotase; Mutation, Missense; Status Epilepticus; Cognitive Dysfunction; Age of Onset; Aspartate Carbamoyltransferase; Carbamoyl-Phosphate Synthase (Glutamine-Hydrolyzing)
PubMed: 38641466
DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2024.04.001 -
Leukoerythroblastosis in a Young Child with Severe Malaria and Superimposed Gram Negative Infection.Journal of Tropical Pediatrics Dec 2018Leukoerythroblastosis, a non-specific and often short-lasting response of the bone marrow to different diseases such as malignancies or infections, is characterized by...
BACKGROUND
Leukoerythroblastosis, a non-specific and often short-lasting response of the bone marrow to different diseases such as malignancies or infections, is characterized by the presence in the peripheral blood of immature red and white cells.
METHODS
We present a case of leukoerythoblastosis occurring in a 24 months old Mozambican girl, in the context of a severe malaria episode and an associated urinary tract infection. Peripheral blood smear was used for diagnosis of malaria and leukoerythroblastosis. Enterobacter cloacae isolation and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed by conventional microbiology.
RESULTS
Peripheral blood smear was positive for Plasmodium falciparum and showed a leukoerythroblastosis with red cell anisopoikilocytosis and left shifted neutrophils. Urine culture confirmed the presence of a multi-resistant E. cloacae. Treatment of underlying conditions resolved the leukoerythroblastic reaction.
CONCLUSIONS
Leukoerythroblastosis may be related to different infectious diseases and may also appear in the context of severe malaria. Bacterial superinfection needs to be investigated.
Topics: Anemia, Myelophthisic; Antimalarials; Blood Transfusion; Child, Preschool; Ciprofloxacin; Enterobacter cloacae; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Female; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Plasmodium falciparum; Treatment Outcome; Urinary Tract Infections
PubMed: 29272534
DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmx101 -
Cureus Oct 2017Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemias (CDAs) are very rare, heterogeneous hereditary red blood cell disorders characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis, erythroblast...
Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemias (CDAs) are very rare, heterogeneous hereditary red blood cell disorders characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis, erythroblast morphological abnormalities, haemolysis, and hypoglycosylation of red-blood-cell membrane proteins and lipids. There are four types (I-IV) of the disease identified, and all of them are associated with abnormal maturation and division of erythroid precursors. We report the management of a rare case of CDA type II diagnosed in a 26-year-old pregnant woman.
PubMed: 29308339
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.1811 -
Cureus Nov 2018Anemia is a frequently encountered problem in the healthcare system. Common causes of anemia include blood loss, followed by impaired red blood cell production and red...
Anemia is a frequently encountered problem in the healthcare system. Common causes of anemia include blood loss, followed by impaired red blood cell production and red blood cell destruction. This case demonstrates the need for cognizance of the less frequent causes of anemia. A 27-year-old male with a history of traumatic brain injury and quadriplegia with chronic respiratory failure on home ventilator support presented to the emergency department with dyspnea and no bowel movements for three days. The patient received nutrition via percutaneous endoscopic gastostromy (PEG) tube. He was hypotensive with a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 54 mm/Hg. There was no evidence of acute or ongoing blood loss. Initial lab data revealed hyperkalemia (K+ 6.1), severe anemia (Hb 1.5 g/dL), leukopenia (2.53 K/uL), neutropenia (ANC 700), and normal platelets. Peripheral smear revealed leukopenia with absolute neutropenia, marked anemia with anisopoikilocytosis with rare dacrocytes but no evidence of schistocytes. He responded to transfusion with improvement in hemoglobin from 1.5 to 9.1 within 24 hours. There was no evidence of hemolysis or vitamin deficiency. Ferritin and triglyceride levels were ordered to rule out hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Ferritin was elevated at 6506 ng/mL and triglycerides were 123 mg/dL. Soluble IL-2 receptor level was sent and found to be significantly elevated; however, this was felt to be more likely secondary to infection and inflammation, as the patient had no other clinical features of HLH, apart from cytopenias. Zinc supplementation was part of his wound care regimen. Copper levels were <10 ug/dL (normal: 70-140). Zinc supplements were stopped, and the patient was started on copper supplementation. At his three month follow-up clinic appointment, his anemia and leukopenia had resolved. Micronutrient deficiency is a potential cause of anemia, especially in a risk population and must be considered, as it is often easily correctible.
PubMed: 30723637
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.3636 -
Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany) Dec 2017A previously healthy 15-year-old girl was evaluated following five episodes of reddish urine discoloration after walking for approximately 30 min on a smooth roadway....
A previously healthy 15-year-old girl was evaluated following five episodes of reddish urine discoloration after walking for approximately 30 min on a smooth roadway. In each episode, the discoloration lasted for four to five urinations and followed by normal urine dipstick tests. No other exercise-produced urine discoloration and no other symptoms were reported. Laboratory evaluation during the episodes revealed a reddish urine sample with 3+ hemoglobin/myoglobin and absence of hematuria. Full blood count, serum creatinine, liver function tests, and electrolyte levels were all within normal limits. Myoglobulinuria was excluded, since muscle enzymes were within normal limits. Blood smear analysis showed mild anisopoikilocytosis with stomatocytes and ovalocytes, leading to extended evaluation for erythrocyte disorders. This case is interesting in that the hemoglobinuria occurred after mild walking and was accompanied by erythrocyte morphological changes. This quiz discusses the differential diagnosis of hemoglobinuria with particular reference to the conditions of appearance (after walking) and emphasizes the importance of step-by-step investigations to reach a definitive diagnosis.
Topics: Adolescent; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Hemoglobins; Hemoglobinuria; Humans; Urine; Walking
PubMed: 28194571
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-017-3596-5 -
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic... Mar 2016Delta-Beta thalassaemia is an unusual variant of thalassaemia with elevated level of foetal haemoglobin (HbF). The clinical presentation of delta-beta thalassaemia is...
Delta-Beta thalassaemia is an unusual variant of thalassaemia with elevated level of foetal haemoglobin (HbF). The clinical presentation of delta-beta thalassaemia is mild in both heterozygote and homozygote cases. We hereby describe a rare cause of elevated Hb F in a father and his two daughters. A 52-year-old diabetic male patient, on evaluation of chromatogram of cation exchange HPLC for HbA1c, we incidentally identified elevated Hb F of approximately 20%. Haematological investigation of the patient revealed decreased haemoglobin, normal RBC, leucocyte and platelet count, decreased MCV and MCH. Red cell morphology showed predominantly normocytic normochromic cells with mild anisopoikilocytosis, few microcytes and hypochromic cells seen. His liver function test was normal. Haemoglobin variant analysis revealed decreased Hb A (79.4%), normal Hb A2 (2%) and increased Hb F (19.75%). A possible diagnosis of heterozygous δ β-thalassaemia was considered. Since most laboratories perform HbA1c by cation exchange HPLC method, a careful evaluation of the chromatogram yields useful information. In our case, the elevated Hb F in a father and further careful evaluation of clinical and haematological parameters in the family members made us to possibly think of rare disorders like heterozygous Delta-Beta thalassaemia in the family and provide valuable genetic counseling.
PubMed: 27134860
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/16352.7409 -
Cureus Apr 2024Congenital dyserythropoietic anemias (CDAs) are rare hereditary disorders, of which type II CDA is the most common. Mutations in the gene located on chromosome 20...
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemias (CDAs) are rare hereditary disorders, of which type II CDA is the most common. Mutations in the gene located on chromosome 20 result in this autosomal recessive disorder. In this case report, we present a case of CDA II with unique biopsy findings being detected via genetic testing. A female aged 30 years presented with major complaints of pallor weakness and easy fatiguability since childhood. The patient gave a history of 25 units of blood transfusion, the majority of which were transfused during pregnancy, followed by regular transfusions thereafter. On examination, all her vitals were in the normal range. Pallor, frontal bossing, and malocclusion of teeth were noted. Her laboratory workup showed the following: hemoglobin (Hb): 3.7 g/dl; mean corpuscular volume: 83 fl; mean corpuscular Hb: 29 g/dl; mean corpuscular Hb concentration: 34.9 g/dl; red cell distribution width: 30.4%; reticulocyte count (RC): 6.2%; corrected RC: 1.3%; lactate dehydrogenase: 441 IU/L; direct Coombs test/indirect Coombs test: negative; serum iron: 242 microgram/dl; transferrin saturation: 96.08%; ferritin: 1,880 ng/ml; and normal high-performance liquid chromatography and eosin-5'-maleimide binding test. The peripheral blood film showed normocytic normochromic anemia with anisopoikilocytosis in the form of a few spherocytes. No immature cells were seen. After obtaining the patient's consent, we performed a hereditary hemolytic anemia gene analysis test, which showed homozygous missense variation in exon 12 of the gene. The bone marrow examination showed hyperplasia in the erythroid series with dyserythropoiesis, and surprisingly, myelofibrosis grade I-II (WHO 2017) was also observed on biopsy. Patients with CDA type II generally present with variable degrees of anemia along with pallor, icterus, splenomegaly, gallstones, and iron overload. In our case, the diagnosis of CDA type II was made at an adult age. Also, evidence of myelofibrosis was noted in our case, making it worth reporting. The use of a hereditary hemolytic anemia gene analysis panel test came as a rescue for its exact diagnosis. This case report emphasizes the role of molecular genetic testing for early and accurate diagnosis, which, in turn, could help in appropriate treatment planning and proper genetic counseling. The prevalence of CDA type II is still vaguely known; hence, extensive workup of persistent anemias and proper follow-up would be beneficial.
PubMed: 38765414
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58515 -
Journal of Pediatric Hematology/oncology Nov 2019Pyrimidine-5-nucleotidase (P5'N-1) deficiency is a rare nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia due to pyrimidine nucleotide deposition within erythrocytes. This rare...
Pyrimidine-5-nucleotidase (P5'N-1) deficiency is a rare nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia due to pyrimidine nucleotide deposition within erythrocytes. This rare erythrocyte disorder shows autosomal recessive inheritance with mutation of the pyrimidine-5'-nucleotidase gene, which is localized on 7p15-p14. Consanguinity of parents increases the probability of disease with novel mutations. Here, we report a 12-year-old boy with a delayed diagnosis of P5'N deficiency whose parents were consanguineous. He had a hemoglobin level of 7.5 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume of 93 fL, 7% reticulocyte, and lactate dehydrogenase of 678 IU/L. A peripheral blood smear showed polychromasia, marked anisopoikilocytosis with schistocytes, elliptocytes, stomatocytes, spherocytes, dacryocyte, and basophilic stippling in red blood. Decreased purine/pyrimidine ratio was 1.07 (normal range=1.4 to 2.98). Molecular analysis with direct DNA sequencing of the NT5C3 gene, codifying for P5'N-1, revealed the presence of a novel homozygous mutation, c393-394delTA, in the gene coding P5'N enzyme in the patient. To our knowledge, this is a newly defined mutation in P5'N deficiency.
Topics: 5'-Nucleotidase; Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital; Base Sequence; Child; Glycoproteins; Humans; Male; Sequence Deletion
PubMed: 30951028
DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000001482