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Early diagnosis of genetic rare diseases is an unmet need in Brazil, where an estimated 10–13 million people live with these conditions. Increased use of chromosome microarray assays, exome sequencing, and whole genome sequencing as first-tier testing techniques in suitable indications can shorten the diagnostic odyssey, eliminate unnecessary tests, procedures, and treatments, and lower healthcare expenditures. A selected panel of Brazilian experts in fields related to rare diseases was provided with a series of relevant questions to address before a multi-day conference. Within this conference, each narrative was discussed and edited through numerous rounds of discussion until agreement was achieved. The widespread adoption of exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing in Brazil is limited by various factors: cost and lack of funding, reimbursement, awareness and education, specialist shortages, and policy issues. To reduce the burden of rare diseases and increase early diagnosis, the Brazilian healthcare authorities/government must address the barriers to equitable access to early diagnostic methods for these conditions. Recommendations are provided, including broadening approved testing indications, increasing awareness and education efforts, increasing specialist training opportunities, and ensuring sufficient funding for genetic testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Classical homocystinuria (HCU) is a monogenic disease caused by the deficient activity of cystathionine β‐synthase (CβS). The objective of this study was to identify the CBS mutations in Brazilian patients with HCU. Methods: gDNA samples were obtained for 35 patients (30 families) with biochemically confirmed diagnosis of HCU. All exons and exon‐intron boundaries of CBS gene were sequenced. Gene expression analysis by qRT‐PCR was performed in six patients. Novel missense point mutations were expressed in E. coli by site‐directed mutagenesis. Results: Parental consanguinity was reported in 16 families, and pyridoxine responsiveness in five (15%) patients. Among individuals from the same family, all presented the same phenotype. Both pathogenic mutations were identified in 29/30 patients. Twenty‐one different mutations were detected in nine exons and three introns; being six common mutations. Most prevalent were p.Ile278Thr (18.2%), p.Trp323Ter (11.3%), p.Thr191Met (11.3%), and c.828+1G>A (11.3%). Eight novel mutations were found [c.2T>C, c.209+1delG, c.284T>C, c.329A>T, c.444delG, c.864_868delGAG c.989_991delAGG, and c.1223+5G>T]. Enzyme activity in E. coli‐expressed mutations was 1.5% for c.329A>T and 17.5% for c.284T>C. qRT‐PCR analysis revealed reduced gene expression in all evaluated genotypes: [c.209+1delG; c.572C>T]; [c.2T>C; c.828+1G>A]; [c.828+1G>A; c.1126G>A]; [c.833T>C; c.989_991delAGG]; [c.1058C>T; c.146C>T]; and [c.444delG; c.444delG]. The expected phenotype according to the genotype (pyridoxine responsiveness) matched in all cases. Conclusions: Most patients studied were pyridoxine nonresponsive and presented early manifestations, suggesting severe phenotypes. Many private mutations were observed, but the four most prevalent mutations together accounted for over 50% of mutated alleles. A good genotype–phenotype relationship was observed within families and for the four most common mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Exploratory study in patients with Hepatic GSD and age-sex-matched healthy controls. • Multiplex assay determined the plasma levels of 20 cytokines. • Cytokines data were combined with clinical and biochemical aspects of GSD patients. • Imbalance in the inflammatory cascade correlated with triglyceride levels. • New immune insights on HCA, Anemia and GSF-treatment mechanisms were discussed. Hepatic Glycogen Storage Diseases (GSD) are rare genetic disorders in which the gluconeogenesis pathway is impaired. Cytokines control virtually every aspect of physiology and may help to elucidate some unsolved questions about phenotypes presented by GSD patients. This was an exploratory study in which 27 GSD patients on treatment (Ia = 16, Ib = 06, III = 02, IXα = 03) and 24 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects had plasma samples tested for a panel of 20 cytokines (G-CSF,GM-CSF, IL-1α,IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, GRO, IP-10/CXCL10, MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1α/CCL3, MIP-1β/CCL4, MDC/CCL22, IFN-γ, TNF-α, TNF-β, VEGF) through a multiplex kit and analyzed in comparison to controls and among patients, regarding to clinical features as anemia, hepatic adenocarcinoma and triglyceride levels. Patients (GSD-Ia/III/IX) presented reduced levels of IL-4 (p = 0.040), MIP-1α/CCL3 (p = 0.003), MDC/CCL22 (p < 0.001), TNF-β (p = 0.045) and VEGF (p = 0.043) compared to controls. When different types of GSD were compared, G-CSF was higher in GSD-Ib than -Ia (p < 0.001) and than -III/IX (p = 0.033) patients; IL-10 was higher in GSD-Ib than in GSD-Ia patients (p = 0.019); and GSD-III/IX patients had increased levels of IP-10/CXCL10 than GSD-Ib patients (p = 0.019). When GSD-I patients were gathered into the same group and compared with GSD-III/IX patients, IP10/CXCL10 and MCP-1 were higher in the latter group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.013, respectively). GSD-I patients with anemia presented higher levels of IL-4 and MIP-1α in comparison with patients who had not. Triglyceride level was correlated with neutrophil count and MDC levels on GSD-Ia patients without HCA. Altogether, altered levels of cytokines in GSD-I patients reflect an imbalance in immunoregulation process. This study also indicates that neutrophils and some cytokines are affected by triglyceride levels, and future studies on the theme should consider this variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been described in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The presence of mtDNA 4977bp deletion in many different tissues can serve as a marker of this damage. However, no attempt has been made to detect the presence of mtDNA 4977bp in blood cells of patients with CKD. Methods. Polymerase chain reaction techniques (PCR) were used to detect mtDNA 4977bp deletion in blood samples of 94 CKD patients. Results. The prevalence of 4977bp deletion in mtDNA was 73.1% (38/52) in patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis, 57.1% (27/42) in patients with CKD receiving conservative treatment, and 27.8% (15/54) in control samples (p < 0.001). Higher prevalence of this mutation was not associated with patient age (p = 0.54) or time on hemodialysis (p = 0.70). Conclusion. The higher prevalence of mtDNA 4977bp deletion in patients in this study indicates that the CKD can induce damage to mtDNA in blood cells and could be exacerbated by hemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision medicine (PM) is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that accounts for the individual variability in the genes, environment, and lifestyle of each person. Lysosomal diseases (LDs) are a group of genetic metabolic disorders that include approximately 70 monogenic conditions caused by a defect in lysosomal function. LDs may result from primary lysosomal enzyme deficiencies or impairments in membrane-associated proteins, lysosomal enzyme activators, or modifiers that affect lysosomal function. LDs are heterogeneous disorders, and the phenotype of the affected individual depends on the type of substrate and where it accumulates, which may be impacted by the type of genetic change and residual enzymatic activity. LDs are individually rare, with a combined incidence of approximately 1:4000 individuals. Specific therapies are already available for several LDs, and many more are in development. Early identification may enable disease course prediction and a specific intervention, which is very important for clinical outcome. Driven by advances in omics technology, PM aims to provide the most appropriate management for each patient based on the disease susceptibility or treatment response predictions for specific subgroups. In this review, we focused on the emerging diagnostic technologies that may help to optimize the management of each LD patient and the therapeutic options available, as well as in clinical developments that enable customized approaches to be selected for each subject, according to the principles of PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]