Gaucher disease in Syrian children: common mutations identification, and clinical futures.
OBJECTIVE
Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by the deficiency of glucosidase beta acid (GBA). Three clinical forms of GD are available. Some mutations in the GBA gene have a high frequency in spe.cific populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of phenotypes and genotypes of GD in Syrian pediatric patients and assess whether a genotype-phenotype relationship could be helpful in treatment decision-making.


METHODS
A cross-sectional clinical genetic study of 19 Syrian children admitted to Children's Hospital, Damascus University.


METHODS
Nineteen Syrian children with GD were enrolled in the study; DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. The GBA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and the 9 most common mutations were studied using a Gaucher Disease Strip Assay (ViennaLab Diagnostics GmbH, Vienna, Austria).


RESULTS
The majority of children had an early age of onset. A total of17 patients presented severe hematological and skeletal complications. Neurological involvement was encountered in 2 patients. Twelve patients (63, 2%) were homozygous for the L444P mutation, 1 patient (5.3%) was homozygous for the N370S mutation, and 1 patient (5.3%) was heterozygous for the N370S mutation. Five patients (26.3%) had unknown mutations.


CONCLUSIONS
L444P/L444P was the most common genotype in the studied patients. GD3 with severe visceral presentation in childhood was the dominant phenotype; N370S was found in the heterozygote state in 1 case and in the homozygote state in 1 case. This phenotype and genotype pattern is encountered in the Middle East. There was no genotype-phenotype correlation.
Dr. Diana Alasmar, Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Unit,, Children's Hospital Damascus University,, Syria, T: 963 11 6623650, F: 963 11 6623040, dianaasmar11@yahoo.com.
Diana
D
Alasmar
D017668:Age of Onset; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005776:Gaucher Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005838:Genotype; D005962:Glucosylceramidase / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013593:Syria / Q000453:epidemiology
D005962:Glucosylceramidase