Volume 9 • Number 3 • September 2022

Commentary

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Vol. 9No. 3pp. 57–61

Original Artilce

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Vol. 9No. 3pp. 62–66
Background: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a main challenge for clinicians and public health decision-makers has revolved around risk stratification in vulnerable populations, in particular individuals with inborn errors of immunity (IEI). However, available reports of the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients with IEI show wide variability, from a complete lack of symptoms to severe and complicated disease.Objective: To present the clinical features and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adult patients with IEI.Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review documenting patient characteristics and clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 2021 and July 2022.Results: Ten adult patients with IEI followed in our center were diagnosed with COVID-19, as determined by RT-PCR or rapid antigen testing. IEI in this cohort included those with humoral and combined immunodeficiencies, as well as phagocytic defects. An underlying lung comorbidity was identified in 3 patients. Symptoms were mostly mild and self-limiting, and no severe outcomes, complications, or mortality were noted in this study.Conclusions: We suggest that patients affected by a wide range of both humoral and combined IEI may demonstrate resilience, while highlighting the possible protective effects of vaccination and immunoglobulin replacement in this population.Statement of Novelty: We report on the mild COVID-19 clinical course of 10 adults with IEI.
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Vol. 9No. 3pp. 67–71
Background: Yellow Nail Syndrome is defined as a triad of lymphedema, respiratory symptoms, and nail discolouration. The precise etiology remains unknown, however it has been reported alongside a broad spectrum of conditions including malignancies, autoinflammatory diseases, and immunodeficiencies.Aim: To highlight the association between defects in the intracellular bacterial sensor gene NOD2 and Yellow Nail Syndrome.Methods: A retrospective review of the patient’s chart was performed, including family history, characteristics, immune laboratory evaluation, and genetics.Results: A 65-year-old female was referred to our centre for lymphedema and bronchiectasis. She had recurrent episodes of pneumonia, cellulitis, and oral ulcers. Bilateral lymphedema on her lower limbs up to the hip and discoloured yellow nails were reported. Given her clinical picture, she was diagnosed with Yellow Nail Syndrome. The immunological evaluation was unremarkable overall, with normal T cell subsets and function and adequate antibody titers. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous mutation in the NOD2 gene, c.2107C>T (p.Arg703Cys), considered a variant of uncertain significance.Conclusion: Heterozygous variants in NOD2 can result in a spectrum of autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders, including Yellow Nail Syndrome.Statement of novelty: We describe a patient with Yellow Nail Syndrome, presenting with the classic triad of clinical features. Genetic evaluation identified a heterozygous variant in NOD2, which has been extensively associated with several autoinflammatory diseases, but not Yellow Nail Syndrome.

Novel Mutation and VUS

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Vol. 9No. 3pp. 72–76
Background: Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) is an umbrella term for a heterogeneous group of disorders affecting the GI tract. In contrast to the relatively common eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) remains poorly understood in terms of both its pathophysiology and genetic etiology, while treatment options remain limited. Aim: To expand the genotypic spectrum of EGE and describe our long-term experience of treatment with ketotifen.Methods: Case report of a patient with EGE followed by our team for over 27 years.Results: Our patient was diagnosed with EGE at the age of 4 years, accompanied by multiple other atopic manifestations and serum eosinophilia. He was later diagnosed with a heterozygous variant in RUNX1, a gene implicated in multi-lineage hematopoiesis, inhibition of Th2 polarization and T regulatory cell function. The patient has experienced long-term symptom improvement while treated with the mast cell stabilizing H1 antihistamine, ketotifen, with substantial symptomatic worsening after this agent was briefly stopped.Conclusion: We expand the genotypic spectrum of EGID etiology to include mutations in RUNX1, and suggest ketotifen as a viable option for patients with treatment-refractory EGE.Statement of novelty: This case reports on a possible novel genetic cause of EGID and describes long-term successful clinical management with ketotifen.
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March 2024
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