Objective:To analyze genetic factors and phenotype characteristics in pediatric population with slight-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. Methods:Children with slight-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss of and their parents, enrolled from the Chinese Deafness Genome Project, were studied. Hearing levels were assessed using pure tone audiometry, behavioral audiometry, auditory steady state response（ASSR）, auditory brainstem response（ABR） thresholds, and deformed partial otoacoustic emission（DPOAE）. Classification of hearing loss is according to the 2022 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics（ACMG） Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hearing Loss. Whole exome sequencing（WES） and deafness gene Panel testing were performed on peripheral venous blood from probands and validations were performed on their parents by Sanger sequencing. Results:All 134 patients had childhood onset, exhibiting bilateral symmetrical slight-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss, as indicated by audiological examinations. Of the 134 patients, 29（21.6%） had a family history of hearing loss, and the rest were sporadic patients. Genetic causative genes were identified in 66（49.3%） patients. A total of 11 causative genes were detected, of which GJB2 was causative in 34 cases（51.5%）, STRC in 10 cases（15.1%）, MPZL2 gene in six cases（9.1%）, and USH2A in five cases（7.6%）.The most common gene detected in slight-to-moderate hearing loss was GJB2, with c. 109G>A homozygous mutation found in 16 cases（47.1%） and c. 109G>A compound heterozygous mutation in 9 cases（26.5%）. Conclusion:This study provides a crucial genetic theory reference for early screening and detection of mild to moderate hearing loss in children, highlighting the predominance of recessive inheritance and the significance of gene like GJB2, STRC, MPZL2, USH2A.
Humans ; Child ; Connexins/genetics* ; Connexin 26/genetics* ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/diagnosis* ; Mutation ; Usher Syndromes ; Hearing Loss, Bilateral ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

Background and Objective: The Philippines does not have a national congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) surveillance or registry. Regular monitoring of CRS cases in hospitals, including in a Philippine tertiary hospital, helped in the past to provide clinico-epidemiologic data on CRS. This study aimed to continue providing clinico-epidemiologic data on CRS cases seen in the Philippine tertiary hospital from 2009-2012 and 2019-2022 and compare the cases seen from said timelines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used, employing chart review of patients newly diagnosed with CRS from 2009-2012 and 2019-2022 in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Philippine tertiary hospital. Results: Forty-two patients newly diagnosed with CRS from 2009-2012 and 2019-2022 were included. Only 14 (33%) were serologically-confirmed cases (albeit qualitatively). Median age (first and third interquartile ranges) at consult was 1 year (0.4, 2.5). Twenty-four (57%) patients had maternal history of rashes and/or fever. Trimester of pregnancy when mother became symptomatic was not significantly correlated with chief complaint (p=0.20) and numbers of ophthalmic (p=0.68) and systemic manifestations (p=0.32). Cataract was the most common ophthalmic manifestation present in 40 (95%) patients. Twenty-six (62%) patients had other associated systemic findings of which hearing loss was the most common. Only 29 of 40 patients with cataract underwent lensectomy, with 23 patients having poor visual prognosis prior to surgery (5 with nystagmus alone, 10 with nystagmus and strabismus, and 8 with strabismus alone). Discussion: Using ophthalmic manifestations as primary indicator, this study provided an update on the CRS cases in the country. Laboratory confirmation remains a challenge in diagnosing CRS as the tests are costly and not widely available. There was increase from 2009-2012 compared to 2019-2022 in number of patients who underwent surgical treatment for cataract but visual outcomes were suboptimal due to delay in consultation. Although there was a decrease in number of CRS cases seen in the Philippine tertiary hospital, this cannot be attributed to increased rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) coverage alone. Conclusion Provision of data from individual hospital-based studies similar to this highlights the need for a national CRS surveillance system or registry. This can better gauge the burden of CRS and identify the gap in RCV coverage.
Rubella Syndrome, Congenital ; Retinitis Pigmentosa

OBJECTIVES

To determine the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of individuals with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), identify their genetic etiologies, and provide counseling to affected patients.

This non-interventional, observational study evaluated 18 patients with clinically-diagnosed RP from 15 different families. The patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination with retinal functional and morphologic assessment. Genetic testing was done using next-generation sequencing.

Ten gene mutations with 22 variants were identified. The inheritance pattern was predominantly autosomal recessive (70%). The most common mutation was EYS (27.8%). One possible novel gene, RGS7, and novel variants of CNGB1 were identified. Characteristic RP profiles were observed, with syndromic findings noted in USH2A and BBS5 mutations.

Phenotypic characteristics among different gene mutations have distinct features. This is the first study in the country to demonstrate the genotypic heterogeneity of RP, displaying 22 variants with 3 noted novel mutations.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a patient with early-onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP). METHODS: A patient who had presented at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University on March 10, 2020 was selected as the study subject. The patient and his parents were subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and in silico analysis. RESULTS: The patient has featured substantial loss of binocular vision field. Funduscopy revealed characteristic bone spicule-type pigment deposits, as well as attenuated retinal arterioles and pale-appearing optic discs. WES revealed that he has harbored compound missense variants of a RP-associated CRB1 gene, including c.2969T>C (p.Leu990Ser) and c.1816T>C (p.Cys606Arg), which were respectively inherited from his father and mother. Homozygous c.1816T>C (p.Cys606Arg) variant has been identified among RP patients, whilst the c.2969T>C (p.Leu990Ser) variant was unreported previously. Both variants were predicted as likely pathogenic based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). CONCLUSION The novel compound heterozygous variants of the CRB1 gene probably underlay the early-onset RP in this patient. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the CRB1 gene.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; China ; Genomics ; Homozygote ; Mothers ; Retinitis Pigmentosa/genetics* ; Eye Proteins/genetics* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to investigate the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network in patients with Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD). METHODS: We compared RPC densities in the disk and different peripapillary regions, obtained using optical coherence tomography angiography in 22 patients with BCD (37 eyes) and 22 healthy subjects (37 eyes). The BCD group was then divided into Stage 2 and Stage 3 subgroups based on Yuzawa staging, comparing the RPC densities of the two. RESULTS: The disk area RPC density was 38.8% ± 6.3% in the BCD group and 49.2% ± 6.1% in the control group ( P < 0.001), and peripapillary region RPC density was significantly lower in the BCD group than in the control group (49.1% ± 4.7% and 54.1% ± 3.0%, respectively, P < 0.001). There were no significant RPC density differences between the tempo quadrant and inside disk of Stages 2 and 3 subgroups; the other areas showed a significantly lower RPC density in Stage 3 than in Stage 2 BCD. CONCLUSION The BCD group RPC density was significantly lower than the control group. The reduction of RPC density in the tempo quadrant occurred mainly in the Stage 1 BCD. In contrast, the reduction of RPC density in superior, inferior, and nasal quadrants occurred mainly in Stage 2.
Adult ; Aged ; Angiography ; Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary/physiopathology* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microvascular Density ; Microvessels/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Diseases/physiopathology* ; Retinal Vessels/physiopathology* ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen potential variant in the proband. Candidate variants were determined by taking consideration of clinical phenotype. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the variant in the proband and his parents. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of c.8G>A (p.Cys3Tyr) and c.958_959insA (p.Arg320Glnfs*29) in the C2ORF71 gene, which has derived from his father and mother, respectively. Both variants were unreported previously. Based on the ACMG guidelines, they were predicted to be likely pathogenic and pathogenic, respectively. CONCLUSION The novel compound heterozygous variants of the C2ORF71 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of RP in the proband. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of C2ORF71 gene mutations and facilitated genetic counseling for the family.
Asians/genetics* ; China ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Retinitis Pigmentosa/genetics* ; Whole Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features and genetic variant in a patient with Usher syndrome. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing was carried out for the patient. Suspected variants were validated by Sanger sequencing of her parents and fetus. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants c.17_18insA (p.Tyr6Ter*) and c.4095_4096insA (p.Arg1366Lys fs*38) of the PCDH15 gene (NM_033056), which were respectively inherited from her father and mother. The same variants were not detected in 100 healthy controls. Based on the guidelines of the American Society of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PM2+PP4). By prenatal diagnosis, her fetus was found to carry the c.4095_4096insA variant. After birth, the child has passed neonatal hearing screening test, and no abnormal auditory and visual function was found after the first year. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants c.17_18insA (p.Tyr6Ter*) and c.4095_4096insA (p.Arg1366Lys fs*38) of the PCDH15 gene probably underlay the Usher syndrome is this proband.
Cadherin Related Proteins ; Cadherins/genetics* ; Child ; China ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Usher Syndromes/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the variation of genes associated with Usher syndrome type 1(USH1)in 136 Chinese deafness families from Henan province. Methods: The data of 136 deafness families tested by next-generation sequencing(NGS) which identified in the center of genetics and prenatal diagnosis of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2016 to December 2019 were analysized and the variation frequency of six genes related to Usher syndrome type 1(MYO7A, USH1C, CDH23, PCDH15, USH1G, CIB2) were summarized. Results: Five deafness families were detected nine pathogenic or likely pathogenic variations in two genes, accounting for 3.7% of all families. Among them, four families were caused by MYO7A variations and one family was caused by CDH23 variation. Meanwhile, seven variations of two genes were reported for the first time. They were c.313delG, c.5257dupA, c.5435A>T, c.5636G>C, c.5722T>G of MYO7A, and c.155_166del, c.4802delA of CDH23. The patients' vision of family 2 and family 3 had no obvious abnormality at present, but according to genetic diagnosis and walking dealy, they were considered to be USH1. Conclusions: MYO7A is the most common caustive gene associated with USH1 in Henan deafness patients, the application of next-generation sequencing technology can make USH1 patients diagnosed earlier before the visual symptoms appear.
China/epidemiology* ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Deafness/genetics* ; Humans ; Mutation ; Myosin VIIa ; Myosins/genetics* ; Pedigree ; Usher Syndromes/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a pedigree affected with congenital sensorineural deafness. METHODS: High-throughput sequencing was carried out to analyze the coding regions of 415 genes associated with hereditary deafness in the proband. Suspected variants were verified by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing of her parents and sister. RESULTS: The proband was found to have carried a heterozygous c.5131G>A (p.Val1711Ile) variant of the CDH23 gene and a heterozygous c.2884C>T(p.Arg962Cys) variant of the PCDH15 gene, which were respectively inherited from her mother and father. Her sister (with normal hearing) was also heterozygous for the c.5131G>A (p.Val1711Ile) variant of the CDH23 gene but not the c.2884C>T (p.Arg962Cys) variant of the PCDH15 gene. Based on the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were predicted to be likely pathogenic (PS1+PM2+PP3+PP4). CONCLUSION The c.5131G>A (p.Val1711Ile) variant of the CDH23 gene and c.2884C>T (p.Arg962Cys) variant of the PCDH15 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of Usher syndrome type 1D/F in this pedigree.
Female ; Heterozygote ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Usher Syndromes/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To detect pathogenic variant in a child featuring Usher syndrome type II. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected for the analysis of variants of hearing impairment-related genes. The findings were verified in 100 individuals with normal hearing. RESULTS: The child was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the USH2A gene, namely c.8224-1G>C in intron 41 and c.5678C>G(p.Ser1893X) in exon 28, which were inherited respectively from his mother and father. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics standards and guidelines, both c.8224-1G>C and c.5678C>G(p.Ser1893X) variants of USH2A gene were predicted to be pathogenic(PVS1+PM2+PM3). CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants c.8224-1G>C and c.5678C>G of the USH2A gene probably underlay the disease in this child. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of USH2A gene variants.
Child ; Exons ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics* ; Family ; Humans ; Introns ; United States ; Usher Syndromes/genetics*