title: Multipaint FISH: a rapid and reliable way to define cryptic and complex abnormalities.
abstract: We present the use of a multipaint fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) approach for the detection and interpretation of chromosome abnormalities that could not be resolved by conventional cytogenetics alone. In case 1, a de novo add(Xp) was shown to be an unbalanced X;12 translocation; in case 2, a complex rearrangement involving a deletion of 5p was shown to include a previously undetected cryptic 5;6 translocation. In addition, in case 3, this technique defined additional complexities and nine breakpoints in an acquired rearrangement of chromosomes 2, 9, 11, 16 and 22 in a patient with myelodysplasia. The technique allows the simultaneous identification of up to 24 chromosomes on a single slide using FISH with directly labelled whole chromosome paints. This simple and rapid method does not require image enhancement, produces results within 48 h and, therefore, offers an alternative to other recent developments, such as combinatorial multifluor FISH, spectral karyotyping or comparative genomic hybridisation.
authors.affiliation: Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Salisbury Health Care Trust, Salisbury District Hospital, Wilts, UK.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Joyce
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Wyre
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male