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Dettmeyer R. [Lethal lymphocytic myocarditis-an underestimated diagnosis in infancy and childhood?]. PATHOLOGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 44:198-203. [PMID: 37987819 DOI: 10.1007/s00292-023-01279-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
In the past, histological diagnosis of (post-)viral myocarditis was based on the so-called Dallas criteria, which have been criticized because of high interobserver variability and sampling error. Immunohistochemical qualification and quantification of interstitial intramyocardial leucocytes was established and standard values concerning adults were published. Fatal casualties due to a viral myocarditis are rare as far as babies and children are concerned (sudden unexpected death in infancy; SUDI). Cases of sudden unexpected death in the first year of life are frequently regarded as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). To diagnose myocarditis when there are only single focal lymphocytic infiltrates in the myocardium, the number of samples taken by autopsy is relevant. But even in babies, immunohistochemical qualification and quantification of interstitial lymphocytes and macrophages can lead to standard values allowing diagnosis of myocarditis. Depending on the course of a viral infection, molecular pathological detection of viral genome in the myocardium is possible to support the diagnosis. Using the mentioned methods gradually, there are more cases of suspected SIDS, which are in fact cases of virus-induced myocarditis as cause of death. Primary enteroviruses (coxsackie viruses) and adenoviruses were found but also Epstein-Barr virus and PVB-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Dettmeyer
- Universitätsklinikum Gießen & Marburg, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Frankfurter Str. 58, 35392, Gießen, Deutschland.
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2
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Accurate interpretation of genetic variants in sudden unexpected death in infancy by trio-targeted gene-sequencing panel analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21532. [PMID: 34728707 PMCID: PMC8563990 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00962-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In sudden unexpected death in infancy cases, postmortem genetic analysis with next-generation sequencing potentially can extract candidate genes associated with sudden death. However, it is difficult to accurately interpret the clinically significant genetic variants. The study aim was to conduct trio analysis of cases of sudden unexpected death in infancy and their parents to more accurately interpret the clinically significant disease-associated gene variants associated with cause of death. From the TruSight One panel targeting 4813 genes we extracted candidate genetic variants of 66 arrhythmia-, 63 inherited metabolic disease-, 81 mitochondrial disease-, and 6 salt-losing tubulopathy-related genes in 7 cases and determined if they were de novo or parental-derived variants. Thirty-four parental-derived variants and no de novo variants were found, but none appeared to be related to the cause of death. Using trio analysis and an in silico algorithm to analyze all 4813 genes, we identified OBSCN of compound heterozygous and HCCS of hemizygous variants as new candidate genetic variants related to cause of death. Genetic analysis of these deceased infants and their living parents can provide more accurate interpretation of the clinically significant genetic variants than previously possible and help confirm the cause of death.
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3
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Keywan C, Poduri AH, Goldstein RD, Holm IA. Genetic Factors Underlying Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2021; 14:61-76. [PMID: 33623412 PMCID: PMC7894824 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s239478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SIDS) is a diagnosis of exclusion. Decades of research have made steady gains in understanding plausible mechanisms of terminal events. Current evidence suggests SIDS includes heterogeneous biological conditions, such as metabolic, cardiac, neurologic, respiratory, and infectious conditions. Here we review genetic studies that address each of these areas in SIDS cases and cohorts, providing a broad view of the genetic underpinnings of this devastating phenomenon. The current literature has established a role for monogenic genetic causes of SIDS mortality in a subset of cases. To expand upon our current knowledge of disease-causing genetic variants in SIDS cohorts and their mechanisms, future genetic studies may employ functional assessments of implicated variants, broader genetic tests, and the inclusion of parental genetic data and family history information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Keywan
- Robert's Program for Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annapurna H Poduri
- Robert's Program for Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard D Goldstein
- Robert's Program for Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ingrid A Holm
- Robert's Program for Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, and Manton Center for Orphan Diseases Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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4
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Sarquella-Brugada G, Cesar S, Zambrano MD, Fernandez-Falgueras A, Fiol V, Iglesias A, Torres F, Garcia-Algar O, Arbelo E, Brugada J, Brugada R, Campuzano O. Electrocardiographic Assessment and Genetic Analysis in Neonates: a Current Topic of Discussion. Curr Cardiol Rev 2019; 15:30-37. [PMID: 30210005 PMCID: PMC6367699 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x14666180913114806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Sudden death of a newborn is a rare entity, which may be caused by genetic cardiac arrhythmias. Among these diseases, Long QT syndrome is the most prevalent arrhythmia in neonates, but other diseases such as Brugada syndrome, Short QT syndrome and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia also cause sudden death in infants. All these entities are charac-terized by well-known alterations in the electrocardiogram and the first symptom of the disease may be an unexpected death. Despite the low prevalence of these diseases, the performance of an electro-cardiogram in the first hours or days after birth could help identify these electrical disruptions and adopt preventive measures. In recent years, there has been an important impulse by some experts in the scientific community towards the initiation of a newborn electrocardiogram-screening program, for the detection of these electrocardiographic abnormalities. In addition, the use of genetic analysis in neonates could identify the cause of these heart alterations. Identification of relatives carrying the ge-netic alteration associated with the disease allows adoption of measures to prevent lethal episodes. Conclusion: Recent technological advances enable a comprehensive genetic screening of a large number of genes in a cost-effective way. However, the interpretation of genetic data and its translation into clinical practice are the main challenges for cardiologists and geneticists. However, there is im-portant controversy as to the clinical value, and cost-effectiveness of the use of electrocardiogram as well as of genetic testing to detect these cases. Our review focuses on these current matters of argue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Sarquella-Brugada
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Cesar
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Victoria Fiol
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Iglesias
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona- IDIBGI, Girona, Spain.,Centro Investigación Biomédica Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Girona, Spain
| | - Francesc Torres
- GRIE, Neonatology Unit, Hospital Clinic-Maternitat, IDIBAPS, BCNatal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Garcia-Algar
- GRIE, Neonatology Unit, Hospital Clinic-Maternitat, IDIBAPS, BCNatal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Arbelo
- Centro Investigación Biomédica Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Girona, Spain.,Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Brugada
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro Investigación Biomédica Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Girona, Spain.,Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona- IDIBGI, Girona, Spain.,Centro Investigación Biomédica Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Girona, Spain.,Cardiology Service, Hospital Josep Trueta, University of Girona, Girona. Spain
| | - Oscar Campuzano
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona- IDIBGI, Girona, Spain.,Centro Investigación Biomédica Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Girona, Spain
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Sahlin E, Gréen A, Gustavsson P, Liedén A, Nordenskjöld M, Papadogiannakis N, Pettersson K, Nilsson D, Jonasson J, Iwarsson E. Identification of putative pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in genes associated with heart disease in 290 cases of stillbirth. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210017. [PMID: 30615648 PMCID: PMC6322759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of stillbirth in Sweden has essentially remained constant since the 1980’s, and despite thorough investigation, many cases remain unexplained. It has been suggested that a proportion of stillbirth cases is caused by heart disease, mainly channelopathies. The aim of this study was to analyze DNA from 290 stillbirth cases without chromosomal abnormalities for pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in 70 genes associated with cardiac channelopathies and cardiomyopathies. The HaloPlex Target Enrichment System (Agilent Technologies) was utilized to prepare sequencing libraries which were sequenced on the Illumina NextSeq platform. We found that 12.1% of the 290 investigated stillbirth cases had one (n = 31) or two (n = 4) variants with evidence supporting pathogenicity, i.e. loss-of-function variants (nonsense, frameshift, splice site substitutions), evidence from functional studies, or previous identification of the variants in affected individuals. Regarding identified putative pathogenic variants in genes associated with channelopathies, the prevalence was significantly higher in the stillbirth cohort (n = 23, 7.93%) than the corresponding prevalence of the same variants in the non-Finnish European population of the Exome Aggregation Consortium (2.70%, p<0.001) and SweGen, (2.30%, p<0.001). Our results give further support to the hypothesis that cardiac channelopathies might contribute to stillbirth. Screening for pathogenic SNVs in genes associated with heart disease might be a valuable complement for stillbirth cases where today’s conventional investigation does not reveal the underlying cause of fetal demise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellika Sahlin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Anna Gréen
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Clinical Genetics, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Gustavsson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agne Liedén
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Nordenskjöld
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nikos Papadogiannakis
- Center for Perinatal Pathology and Department of Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Pettersson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel Nilsson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jon Jonasson
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Clinical Genetics, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Erik Iwarsson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Van Niekerk C, Van Deventer BS, du Toit-Prinsloo L. Long QT syndrome and sudden unexpected infant death. J Clin Pathol 2017; 70:808-813. [PMID: 28663329 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2016-204199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inheritable primary electric disease of the heart characterised by abnormally long QT intervals and a propensity to develop atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. It is caused by an inherited channelopathy responsible for sudden cardiac death in individuals with structurally normal hearts. Long QT syndrome can present early in life, and some studies suggest that it may be associated with up to 20% of sudden unexplained infant death (SUID), particularly when associated with external stressors such as asphyxia, which is commonly seen in many infant death scenes. With an understanding of the genetic defects, it has now been possible to retrospectively analyse samples from infants who have presented to forensic pathology services with a history of unexplained sudden death, which may, in turn, enable the implementation of preventative treatment for siblings previously not known to have pathogenic genetic variations. In this viewpoint article, we will discuss SUID, LQTS and postmortem genetic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Van Niekerk
- Department of Chemical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.,Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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7
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Postmortale Diagnostik einer (post-)viralen Myokarditis bei mutmaßlichem plötzlichem Säuglingstod. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-016-0111-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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8
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Wilders R. Cardiac ion channelopathies and the sudden infant death syndrome. ISRN CARDIOLOGY 2012; 2012:846171. [PMID: 23304551 PMCID: PMC3529486 DOI: 10.5402/2012/846171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) causes the sudden death of an apparently healthy infant, which remains unexplained despite a thorough investigation, including the performance of a complete autopsy. The triple risk model for the pathogenesis of SIDS points to the coincidence of a vulnerable infant, a critical developmental period, and an exogenous stressor. Primary electrical diseases of the heart, which may cause lethal arrhythmias as a result of dysfunctioning cardiac ion channels (“cardiac ion channelopathies”) and are not detectable during a standard postmortem examination, may create the vulnerable infant and thus contribute to SIDS. Evidence comes from clinical correlations between the long QT syndrome and SIDS as well as genetic analyses in cohorts of SIDS victims (“molecular autopsy”), which have revealed a large number of mutations in ion channel-related genes linked to inheritable arrhythmogenic syndromes, in particular the long QT syndrome, the short QT syndrome, the Brugada syndrome, and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Combining data from population-based cohort studies, it can be concluded that at least one out of five SIDS victims carries a mutation in a cardiac ion channel-related gene and that the majority of these mutations are of a known malignant phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Wilders
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology, Heart Failure Research Center, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Abstract
Repolarization syndromes, including early repolarization, Brugada, and short and long QT, have been implicated increasingly as causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) despite no obvious mechanical cardiac abnormalities. So-called idiopathic ventricular fibrillation is now often reassigned to one of the aforementioned entities. Underlying causes are diverse; genetic mutation has been proven in many but not all cases. Although high-risk individuals generally can be identified, most of the potential victim pool is still unknown and cannot be discovered at this time. Awareness of these entities' existence, knowledge of family history, and 12-lead electrocardiography are the initial steps toward preventing SCD in this population. Underlying mechanisms for ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation in such individuals include phase 2 reentry, early after depolarization, and vortex reentry. For the time-being, although most forms of long QT syndrome can be treated with β-blockers, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator remains the only definitive therapy for the prevention of arrhythmic death among high-risk populations.
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10
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Genetic analysis of sudden cardiac death victims: a survey of current forensic autopsy practices. Int J Legal Med 2010; 125:359-66. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-010-0474-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Accepted: 05/21/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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