Carpino A, Buganza R, Matarazzo P, Tuli G, Pinon M, Calvo PL, Montin D, Licciardi F, De Sanctis L. Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal Dystrophy in Two Siblings: Same Mutations but Very Different Phenotypes.
Genes (Basel) 2021;
12:genes12020169. [PMID:
33530632 PMCID:
PMC7912139 DOI:
10.3390/genes12020169]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy–candidiasis–ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), caused by mutations in the AIRE gene, is mainly characterized by the triad of hypoparathyroidism, primary adrenocortical insufficiency and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, but can include many other manifestations, with no currently clear genotype–phenotype correlation. We present the clinical features of two siblings, a male and a female, with the same mutations in the AIRE gene associated with two very different phenotypes. Interestingly, the brother recently experienced COVID-19 infection with pneumonia, complicated by hypertension, hypokalemia and hypercalcemia. Although APECED is a monogenic disease, its expressiveness can be extremely different. In addition to the genetic basis, epigenetic and environmental factors might influence the phenotypic expression, although their exact role remains to be elucidated.
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