Search

The objective was to investigate whether the described mutations of the SCN1A, SCN1B and GABRG2 genes are associated to generalised epilepsy with febrile seizure plus (GEFS+) in two Tunisian families. We performed a genetic study of two multigenerational Tunisian families with GEFS+ spectrum. The molecular analysis included a PCR amplification of SCN1B, SCN1A and GAGRG2 exons, then a screening of the known SCN1B, SCN1A and GABRG2 gene mutations by direct sequencing. The data excluded the involvement of all known published mutations. However, an insertion of a T nucleotide at a heterozygous state within the intron 12 of the SCN1A gene has been identified in two probands and their parents. Our results corroborate the genetic heterogeneity of GEFS+ predominantly in epilepsy patients of different countries and ethnic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary breast cancer accounts for 3–8% of all breast cancers, with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes responsible for up to 30% of these. To investigate the prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations in breast cancer patients with affected relatives in Tunisia, we studied 36 patients who had at least one first degree relative with breast and/or ovarian cancer Thirty-four 34 patients were suggestive of the BRCA1 mutation and two were suggestive of the BRCA2 mutation, based on the presence of male breast cancer detected in their corresponding pedigrees. Four mutations in BRCA1 were detected, including a novel frame-shift mutation (c.211dupA) in two unrelated patients and three other frameshift mutations – c.4041delAG, c.2551delG and c.5266dupC. Our study is the first to describe the c.5266dupC mutation in a non-Jewish Ashkenazi population. Two frameshift mutations (c.1309del4 and c.5682insA) were observed in BRCA2. Nineteen percent (7/36) of the familial cases had deleterious mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Almost all patients with deleterious mutations of BRCA1 reported a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer in the index case or in their relatives. Our data are the first to contribute to information on the mutation spectrum of BRCA genes in Tunisia, and we give a recommendation for improving clinical genetic testing policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidemiological studies of hereditary eye diseases allowed us to identify two Tunisian families suffering from macular dystrophies: Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) and autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB). The purpose of the current study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and the underlying genetics of these two forms of macular dystrophy., Methods: Complete ophthalmic examination was performed including optical coherence tomography, electroretinography, electrooculography and autofluoresence imaging in all patients. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood collected from patients and family members., Results: Sanger sequencing of all exons of the BEST1 gene in both families identified two new mutations: a missense mutation c.C91A [p.L31 M] at the N-terminal transmembrane domain within the ARB family and a nonsense mutation C1550G (p.S517X) in the C-terminal domain segregating in the BVMD family., Conclusions: Several mutations of the BEST1 gene have been reported which are responsible for numerous ocular pathologies. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time we report mutations in this gene in Tunisian families presenting different forms of macular dystrophy. Our report also expands the list of pathogenic BEST1 genotypes and the associated clinical diagnosis., (© 2019 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.)

Objective: The present study is aimed at performing the molecular characterization of a Tunisian family with piebaldism., Methods: As the proband and her mother showed a severe phenotype, we first chose to screen exons 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17 and 18 of the KIT proto-oncogene by direct sequencing., Results: Direct sequencing analysis showed a C to T substitution at 1939 in exon 13 (c.1939C>T) in heterozygous state in the patient and her mother. The mutation was not found in their unaffected family members or normal controls., Conclusion: Our results provide additional support that mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the KIT gene are responsible for the severe form of piebaldism., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

In Tunisia, β-thalassemia is a common hereditary disease with a carrying rate of 2.21%. Up to now, detection of responsible mutations was made by laborious, expensive, and/or time consuming methods. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a specific assay for detection of the two most frequent mutations in Tunisian population, the IVS-I-110 (G → A) and Cd39 (C → T) mutations. In this study, we optimize high resolution melting analysis (HRMA) conditions for these mutations, using control DNAs. Then, we evaluate the strength of this methodology by screening a cohort of patients with β-thalassemia. All examined reference DNA samples were unambiguously distinguished from each other. For the blinded test, the results were completely compatible with direct sequencing, performed after the HRMA. As HRMA represents a highly sensitive and high-throughput gene scanning method, it can provide timely diagnosis at low cost for effective clinical management of β-thalassemia.