Germline CHEK2 pathogenic variants confer an increased risk of female breast cancer (FBC). Here we describe a recurrent germline intronic variant c.1009-118_1009-87delinsC, which showed a splice acceptor shift in RNA analysis, introducing a premature stop codon (p.Tyr337PhefsTer37). The variant was found in 21/10,204 (0.21%) Czech FBC patients compared to 1/3250 (0.03%) controls (p = 0.04) and in 4/3639 (0.11%) FBC patients from an independent German dataset. In addition, we found this variant in 5/2966 (0.17%) Czech (but none of the 443 German) ovarian cancer patients, three of whom developed early-onset tumors. Based on these observations, we classified this variant as likely pathogenic.

• MeSH
• Checkpoint Kinase 2 * genetics   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease * genetics   MeSH
• Introns * genetics   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Breast Neoplasms * genetics   MeSH
• Ovarian Neoplasms genetics   MeSH
• RNA Precursors genetics   MeSH
• RNA Splicing * genetics   MeSH
• Germ-Line Mutation * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Germany MeSH

BACKGROUND: A subcutaneous formulation of infliximab (IFX-SC) approved to treat patients with inflammatory bowel disease may offer improved efficacy versus intravenous infliximab. METHODS: Patients with refractory Crohn's disease (CD, n = 32) previously treated unsuccessfully with at least 2 biologics were treated with IFX-SC and followed from baseline at Week 0 (W0) to Week 30 (W30). The study's primary endpoint was the treatment's persistence at W30, while secondary goals included the analysis of serum infliximab trough levels (TL IFX), dynamics of anti-IFX antibodies (ATIs), and clinical, serum and fecal markers of CD activity during IFX-SC treatment. RESULTS: Midterm treatment persistence with the continuation of treatment after W30 was 53%. TL IFX median values showed rapid, significant upward dynamics and exceeded 15.5 μg/mL at W30, whereas median ATI levels significantly declined. Among ATI-negative patients at W0 (n = 15), only one showed IFX immunogenicity with newly developed ATIs at W30. Among ATI-positive patients at W0, ATI seroconversion from ATI-positive to ATI-negative status was observed in 10 of 17 patients (58.8%). Patients who had continued IFX-SC treatment at W30 showed significant decreases in C-reactive protein (P = .0341), fecal calprotectin (P = .0002), and Harvey-Bradshaw index (P = .0029) since W0. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with refractory CD previously treated with at least 2 biologics exhibited clinically relevant improvement with IFX-SC, which showed less immunogenic potential than IFX-IV and highly stable TL IFX.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Knowledge on the immunogenicity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] patients is limited. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses and antibodies were analysed in 60 IBD vaccine recipients and 30 controls. METHODS: SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies against the viral spike protein were measured at baseline and at 8 and 26 weeks after the second vaccine dose. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies against the nucleocapsid antigens were measured at week 26. A SARS-CoV-2 interferon-gamma released assay [IGRA] was performed in all vaccinees at week 26. RESULTS: At weeks 0 and 8, no differences were found in anti-spike antibodies between cohorts. At week 26, the decrease in antibody levels was more significant in the IBD cohort compared to the healthy cohort, and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were not detected in either group. At week 26, 16 of 90 [18%] vaccinated individuals had a negative IGRA test result, seven of 90 [8%] were borderline and 67 [74%] had a positive IGRA result; 22 of the 23 individuals with negative or borderline IGRA results belonged to the IBD cohort. However, the overall functional ability of T-lymphocytes to produce interferon-gamma after the unspecific mitogen stimulation was lower in IBD patients. In vaccinated individuals with low or borderline IGRA, treatment with tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors was the most frequent. In individuals with a significant drop in anti-spike antibody levels, plasmatic interferon-gamma concentrations after the specific SARS-CoV-2 stimulation were also insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: Simple humoral and cellular post-vaccination monitoring is advisable in IBD patients so that repeated vaccine doses may be scheduled.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * prevention & control   MeSH
• Immunity, Humoral MeSH
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases * drug therapy   MeSH
• Immunoglobulin G MeSH
• Interferon-gamma MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Antibodies, Viral MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Vaccination MeSH
• COVID-19 Vaccines MeSH
• Viral Vaccines * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immune-modifying treatment could be at an increased risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); thus, data on the efficacy and safety of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are essential. We conducted a prospective study of IBD patients vaccinated with BNT162b2, CX-024414, and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccines. The aim was to evaluate the rate and magnitude of seroconversion, assess the effect of different immune-modifying treatment modalities on the magnitude of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels, and analyze the impact of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on the inflammatory biomarkers of IBD. METHODS: The study included 602 IBD patients and 168 immunocompetent health care workers serving as controls. Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay before the vaccination and 8 weeks after the vaccination. RESULTS: Of IBD patients, 82.2% were receiving biological treatment: most of them were treated with antitumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors (48.5%), and just under half of them were treated with concomitant thiopurines or methotrexate, followed by vedolizumab (18.6%) and ustekinumab (15.1%). Only 8.1% of patients were on 5-aminosalicylates, and a minority (2.2%) were treatment-free. The postvaccine seropositivity rate among IBD patients and controls was 97.8% vs 100%. Median anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were lower among IBD recipients of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 compared with 2 other vaccines (P < .0001) and control ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 recipients (P = .01). No correlation was found between serum trough levels and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG concentrations for any of the biological drugs used. The TNF-α inhibitors with concomitant immunosuppressive treatment but no other treatment modalities were associated with a lower postvaccination antibody response (P < .0001). When evaluating the laboratory activity of IBD by C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin levels, no significant differences were found before the vaccination and 8 weeks after its completion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings warrant particular attention to the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination of IBD patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors with concomitant immunomodulators and show the priority of mRNA vaccines in this specific group of patients.

• MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein metabolism   MeSH
• ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 MeSH
• COVID-19 * prevention & control   MeSH
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases * drug therapy   MeSH
• Immunoglobulin G MeSH
• Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Methotrexate MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Antibodies, Viral MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha metabolism   MeSH
• Antibody Formation MeSH
• Ustekinumab MeSH
• BNT162 Vaccine MeSH
• Vaccination MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Hearing loss (HL) is the most common sensory deficit in humans. HL is an extremely heterogeneous condition presenting most frequently as a nonsyndromic (NS) condition inherited in an autosomal recessive (AR) pattern, termed DFNB. Mutations affecting the STRC gene cause DFNB type 16. Various types of mutations within the STRC gene have been reported from the U.S. and German populations, but no information about the relative contribution of STRC mutations to NSHL-AR among Czech patients is available. METHODS AND PATIENTS: Two hundred and eighty-eight patients with prelingual NSHL, either sporadic (n = 207) or AR (n = 81), who had been previously tested negative for the mutations affecting the GJB2 gene, were included in the study. These patients were tested for STRC mutations by a quantitative comparative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) assay. In addition, 31 of the 81 NSHL-AR patients were analyzed by massively parallel sequencing using one of two different gene panels: 23 patients were analyzed by multiplex-ligation probe amplification (MLPA); and 9 patients by SNP microarrays. RESULTS: Causal mutations affecting the STRC gene (including copy number variations [CNVs] and point mutations) were found in 5.5% of all patients and 13.6% of the 81 patients in the subgroup with NSHL-AR. CONCLUSION: Our results provide strong evidence that STRC gene mutations are an important cause of NSHL-AR in Czech HL patients and are probably the second most common cause of DFNB. Large CNVs were more frequent than point mutations and it is reasonable to test them first by a QF-PCR method-a simple, accessible, and efficient tool for STRC CNV detection, which can be combined by MLPA.

• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Membrane Proteins genetics   MeSH
• Mutation * MeSH
• Hearing Loss genetics   MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• Sequence Deletion MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Microdeletions of 17q24.2-q24.3 have been described in several patients with developmental and speech delay, growth retardation, and other features. The relatively large size and limited overlap of the deletions complicate the genotype-phenotype correlation. We identified a girl with intellectual disability, growth retardation, dysmorphic features, and a de novo 2.8 Mb long deletion of 17q24.2-q24.3. Her phenotype was strikingly similar to one previously described boy with Dubowitz syndrome (MIM 223370) and a de novo 3.9 Mb long deletion encompassing the deletion of our patient. In addition, both patients had the shortest telomeres among normal age-matched controls. Our review of all 17q24.2-q24.3 deletion patients revealed additional remarkable phenotypic features shared by the patients, some of which have consequences for their management. Proposed novel genotype-phenotype correlations based on new literature information on the region include the role of PSMD12 and BPTF, the genes recently associated with syndromic neurodevelopmental disorders, and a possible role of the complex topologically associated domain structure of the region, which may explain some of the phenotypic discrepancies observed between patients with similar but not identical deletions. Nevertheless, although different diagnoses including the Dubowitz, Nijmegen breakage (MIM 251260), Silver-Russell (MIM 180860), or Myhre (MIM 139210) syndromes were originally considered in the 17q24.2-q24.3 deletion patients, they clearly belong to one diagnostic entity defined by their deletions and characterized especially by developmental delay, specific facial dysmorphism, abnormalities of extremities and other phenotypes, and possibly also short telomere length.

• MeSH
• Chromosome Deletion MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Eczema etiology   MeSH
• Facies MeSH
• Phenotype MeSH
• Fibromatosis, Gingival genetics   MeSH
• Hypertrichosis genetics   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 * genetics   MeSH
• Intellectual Disability etiology   MeSH
• Microcephaly etiology   MeSH
• Face abnormalities   MeSH
• Growth Disorders etiology   MeSH
• Telomere * MeSH
• Developmental Disabilities etiology   genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Case Reports MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To highlight importance of detailed ultrasound examination in fetuses with known normal karyotype (and micro-array result) from CVS. In case of markedly abnormal ultrasound result repeated karyotyping by amniocentesis should be considered. Sample should be analyzed by routine cytogenetic techniques, however also micro-array and targeted FISH should be added in order to achieve most accurate diagnosis. CASE REPORT: We report prenatal diagnosis of Pallister-Killian Syndrome (PKS) at 18 gestational weeks. The mother asked us for second opinion scan in our centre due to finding of seven soft markers of chromosomal defects in fetus with normal CVS result. Our examination revealed asymmetrical fetal growth, normohydramnion, spastic fetal movements and several abnormalities: nuchal edema, mild bilateral hydronephrosis, omphalocoele and facial anomalies. We asked for targeted genetic analysis for PKS. Amniocentesis with repeated genetic analysis confirmed PKS (80% mosaicism of tetrasomy 12p). CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of PKS led mother to terminate pregnancy.

• MeSH
• Amniocentesis MeSH
• Chromosome Disorders diagnosis   embryology   genetics   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Pregnancy Trimester, Second MeSH
• Genetic Testing methods   MeSH
• Gestational Age MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 genetics   MeSH
• Mosaicism MeSH
• Chorionic Villi Sampling * MeSH
• Prenatal Diagnosis methods   MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Ultrasonography, Prenatal * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Case Reports MeSH

• MeSH
• Stem Cells metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Limbus Corneae metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Corneal Diseases genetics   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Epithelium, Corneal metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Letter MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of diseases. Our aim was to define sub-groups of CVID patients with similar phenotypes and clinical characteristics. Using eight-color flow cytometry, we analyzed both B- and T-cell phenotypes in a cohort of 88 CVID patients and 48 healthy donors. A hierarchical clustering of probability binning "bins" yielded a separate cluster of 22 CVID patients with an abnormal phenotype. We showed coordinated proportional changes in naïve CD4+ T-cells (decreased), intermediate CD27- CD28+ CD4+ T-cells (increased) and CD21low B-cells (increased) that were stable for over three years. Moreover, the lymphocytes' immunophenotype in this patient cluster exhibited features of profound immunosenescence and chronic activation. Thrombocytopenia was only found in this cluster (36% of cases, manifested as Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) or Evans syndrome). Clinical complications more frequently found in these patients include lung fibrosis (in 59% of cases) and bronchiectasis (55%). The degree of severity of these symptoms corresponded to more deviation from normal levels with respect to CD21low B-cells, naïve CD4+ and CD27− CD28+ CD4+ T-cells. Next-generation sequencing did not reveal any common genetic background. We delineate a subgroup of CVID patients with activated and immunosenescent immunophenotype of lymphocytes and distinct set of clinical complications without common genetic background.

• MeSH
• Lymphocyte Activation MeSH
• B-Lymphocytes immunology   MeSH
• Common Variable Immunodeficiency immunology   MeSH
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes immunology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Phenotype MeSH
• Fibrosis MeSH
• Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic immunology   MeSH
• Immunosenescence MeSH
• Cohort Studies MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Lung pathology   MeSH
• Flow Cytometry MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Cell Separation MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the molecular genetic basis of an early-onset severe retinal dystrophy in three unrelated consecutive patients of Czech origin and to describe their ocular phenotype. METHODS: DNA samples from two probands were analyzed using a genotyping microarray (Asper) followed by either target analysis of 43 genes implicated in retinal disorders by next generation sequencing or whole-exome sequencing, respectively. The third proband underwent conventional Sanger sequencing of CRB1 based on her ocular findings. RESULTS: All three probands harboured a known disease-causing mutation c.2843G>A; p.(Cys948Tyr) in the CRB1 gene. One individual was homozygous for this mutation, while in the other two probands c.2308G>A; p.(Gly770Ser) and c.3121A>G; p.(Met1041Val) were also identified in the heterozygous state, respectively. Both variants were novel and evaluated by in silico analysis as pathogenic. A false-negative result was observed in one of the two samples examined by the genotyping microarray. Disease onset in all patients was before the age of 7 years. Hypermetropic refractive error, bilateral nummular retinal pigmentation, retinal thickening and cystoid spaces in the macula were observed in two probands, aged 6 and 7 years. The third proband, aged 28 years, had bone spicule-like pigmentary changes associated with increased retinal nerve fiber layer. CONCLUSIONS: The first study reporting on the molecular genetic cause of non-syndromic early-onset severe retinal dystrophy in Czech patients identified one homozygous and two compound heterozygote probands with CRB1 mutations. Retina nerve fibre layer measurements should be considered an integral part of the clinical evaluation of retinal dystrophies. Detailed clinical examination and imaging can both direct molecular screening and help to confirm or refute disease causation of identified variants.

• MeSH
• Eye Diseases, Hereditary diagnosis   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Electroretinography MeSH
• Phenotype MeSH
• Genotype MeSH
• Homozygote MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Membrane Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Mutation * MeSH
• DNA Mutational Analysis MeSH
• Eye Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Nerve Tissue Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Retina diagnostic imaging   metabolism   physiopathology   MeSH
• Retinal Dystrophies diagnosis   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Pedigree MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH