Cytogenetic discrepancy between uncultured amniocytes and cultured amniocytes in mosaic trisomy 15 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy with a favorable outcome

Use of the MS-MLPA assay in prenatal diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome with mosaic trisomy 15

OBJECTIVE

We present a prenatal diagnosis strategy of using Methylation-Specific Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MS-MLPA) for the detection of maternal uniparental disomy 15/trisomy 15 (UPD(15) mat/T15) mosaicism.

CASE REPORT

A 43-year-old woman underwent amniocentesis at 19 weeks of gestation due to a high risk of trisomy 15 (T15) as indicated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Cytogenetic analysis revealed a karyotype of 46, XX of cultured amniocytes. Further analysis using copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) analysis showed 55 % T15 mosaicism. The second amniocentesis was performed and showed a karyotype of 46, XX and 26 % T15 mosaicism by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). MS-MLPA analysis of uncultured amniocytes showed that the copy number ratio of 15q11-13 ranged from 1.3 to 1.5, and the percentage of methylation was between 70 % and 100 %. MS-MLPA assay of cultured amniocytes showed a copy number ratio of 1 and a methylation percentage of 100 %. Therefore, this fetus was identified to be an UPD(15) mat/T15 mosaicism. The parents decided to terminate the pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

MS-MLPA can be used in combination with karyotype and CNV-seq for prenatal diagnosis of NIPT high-risk T15 to avoid missed diagnosis of UPD(15) mat/T15 mosaicism.

Tissue specific trisomy 15 mosaicism associated with urogenital malformations

We describe a boy born with hypospadias and later diagnosed with vesicoureteral reflux and mild cognitive disability. Routine diagnostic investigation by karyotyping, chromosomal microarray (CMA) and trio analysis with whole exome sequencing was normal. However, later CMA performed on DNA from genital tissue showed trisomy 15, which prompted further analysis. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was performed to verify the CMA result and delineate the mosaic rate. Methylation specific MLPA was performed to investigate the parent of origin of the extra chromosome 15. Further medical examination of the boy identified fine Blaschko's lines, indicative of mosaicism, but earlier unnoticed. CMA on genital tissue showed 80% mosaicism for trisomy 15. Bladder mucosa and muscle showed a high degree of trisomy 15 (56% and 45% respectively), while buccal mucosa and abdominal skin showed low-grade or no trisomy 15. The extra chromosome 15 was of maternal origin. This case report describes a boy with two different malformations in the same organ region that carries a high degree of trisomy 15 mosaicism. Hence, the clinical implication is that there is no recurrence risk for sibs, but the boy in his turn risks producing gametes with an extra chromosome 15. Tissue restricted mutations are not commonly described but may cause congenital malformations that affects the information to the family.

Low-level mosaic trisomy 15 at amniocentesis without uniparental disomy 15 in a pregnancy associated with cytogenetic discrepancy between uncultured amniocytes and cultured amniocytes, a favorable fetal outcome and perinatal decrease of the aneuploid cell line

OBJECTIVE

We present low-level mosaic trisomy 15 without uniparental disomy (UPD) 15 in a pregnancy associated with cytogenetic discrepancy between uncultured amniocytes and cultured amniocytes, a favorable fetal outcome and perinatal decrease of the aneuploid cell line.

CASE REPORT

A 40-year-old, gravida 2, para 0, woman underwent amniocentesis at 16 weeks of gestation because advanced maternal age. This pregnancy was conceived by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XX,+15 [7]/46,XX [43]. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed arr (15) × 2-3 (X) × 2 with 14% mosaicism for trisomy 15, and ME028 multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) methylation test excluded UPD 15. Prenatal ultrasound and parental karyotypes were normal. She was referred for genetic counseling, and repeat amniocentesis performed at 28 weeks of gestation revealed 46, XX (20/20 colonies) in cultured amniocytes, and in uncultured amniocytes, interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed 13.7% (16/117 cells) mosaicism for trisomy 15, aCGH analysis revealed arr [GRCh(hg19)] 15q11.22q26.3 (22, 765, 628-102,256,748) × 2.4 with a log₂ ratio = 0.26, consistent with 40% mosaicism for trisomy 15, and quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) assays excluded UPD 15. The woman was encouraged to continue the pregnancy. At 37 weeks of gestation, a 2400-g phenotypically normal female baby was delivered without any abnormality. The cord blood had 46, XX (40/40 cells). QF-PCR assays determined maternal origin of trisomy 15 in the placenta. When follow-up at age 5 months, the neonate was normal in physical and psychomotor development. FISH analysis on 102 buccal mucosal cells detected 2 cells (2%, 2/102 cells) with trisomy 15 signals, compared with 1% in normal control.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-level mosaic trisomy 15 at amniocentesis without UPD 15 can be a transient and benign condition, and can be associated with a favorable fetal outcome and perinatal decrease of the aneuploid cell line.