G.P.251

A rare form of limb girdle muscular dystrophy (type 2E) seen in an Iranian family detected by autozygosity mapping

Sarcoglycanopathies (SGPs) constitute a subgroup of autosomal recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) which are caused by mutations in sarcoglycan (SGs) genes. SG proteins form a core complex consisting of α, β, γ and δ sarcoglycans which are encoded by SGCA, SGCB, SGCG and SGCD genes, respectively. Genetic defect, in any of these SG proteins, results in instability of the whole complex. This effect can be helpful in interpreting muscle biopsy results. Autozygosity mapping is a gene mapping approach which can be applied in large consanguineous families for tracking the defective gene in most autosomal recessive disorders. In the present study, we used autozygosity mapping, to find the gene responsible for muscular dystrophy. Proband was a 10-year-old boy referred to our center for ruling out DMD (Duchenne muscular dystrophy). According to the pedigree and clinical reports, we assessed him for SGPs. Haplotyping, using the four short tandem repeat (STR) markers for each of the SG genes, showed that the phenotype may segregate with SGCB gene; and observing two crossing overs which occurred within the gene suggested that the mutation might be in the first two exons of SGCB gene. Mutation analysis showed a 26 bp duplication (10 bp before the initiation codon till 13 bp after the ATG start codon). This will cause a frameshift in protein synthesis.

A population-based epidemiologic study of adult neuromuscular disease in the Republic of Ireland

Objective:

To estimate the prevalence rates (PRs) of acquired and inherited neuromuscular diseases (NMD) in the adult Irish population, reflecting the burden of these conditions in a single country.

Methods:

This population-based study was performed in the Republic of Ireland (RoI), with a PR estimated for December 2013. Multiple case ascertainment sources were utilized. Demographic and clinical information and relevant diagnostic results were registered.

Results:

A total of 2,641 adults were identified, giving a PR of 62.6/100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 59.95–65.24) for all NMD in RoI. Disease-specific PR include chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy 5.87/100,000 (95% CI 5.06–6.68), Charcot-Marie-Tooth 10.52/100,000 (95% CI 9.44–11.61), hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies 0.84/100,000 (95% CI 0.54–1.15), myotonic dystrophy type I 6.75/100,000 (95% CI 5.88–7.61), Duchenne muscular dystrophy 3.0/100,000 (95% CI 2.33–3.70), Becker muscular dystrophy 2.2/100,000 (95% CI 1.64–2.88), facioscapulohumeral dystrophy 2.59/100,000 (95% CI 2.05–3.13), limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2.88/100,000 (95% CI 2.31–3.45), periodic paralysis 1.72/100,000 (95% CI 1.28–2.15), myotonia congenita 0.32/100,000 (95% CI 0.18–0.56), paramyotonia congenita 0.15/100,000 (95% CI 0.06–0.34), Kennedy disease 0.83/100,000 (95% CI 0.40–1.27), Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome 0.29/100,000 (95% CI 0.11–0.47), myasthenia gravis 15.12/100,000 (95% CI 13.82–16.42), and sporadic inclusion body myositis 11.7/100,000 (95% CI 9.82–13.58). PR for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was established from an existing Register as 7.20/100,000 (95% CI 6.34–8.15).

Conclusions:

The PR of all adult NMD in RoI is relatively high when compared with other chronic neurologic disorders, although some figures may be an underestimate of the true prevalence. The data provide a framework for international comparison and service planning.