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Published in: BMC Pediatrics 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis | Case Report

Detection of a novel gross deletion in the UNC13D gene ends the diagnostic odyssey for a family with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis 3

Authors: Chinmayee B. Nagaraj, Diana S. Brightman, Hannah Rea, Emily Wakefield, Nina V. G. Harkavy, Lisa Dyer, Wenying Zhang

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is an immunological disorder characterized by overactivation of macrophages and T lymphocytes. This autosomal recessive condition has been characterized into multiple types depending on the genetic etiology. FHL type 3 is associated with bi-allelic pathogenic variants in the UNC13D gene.

Case presentation

We present a 12-year diagnostic odyssey for a family with FHL that signifies the advances of FHL genetic testing in a clinical genetic diagnostic laboratory setting. We describe the first case of a large UNC13D gross deletion in trans to a nonsense variant in a family with FHL3, which may have been mediated by Alu elements within introns 12 and 25 of the UNC13D gene.

Conclusions

This case highlights the importance of re-evaluating past genetic testing for a patient and family as test technology evolves in order to end a diagnostic odyssey.
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Metadata
Title
Detection of a novel gross deletion in the UNC13D gene ends the diagnostic odyssey for a family with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis 3
Authors
Chinmayee B. Nagaraj
Diana S. Brightman
Hannah Rea
Emily Wakefield
Nina V. G. Harkavy
Lisa Dyer
Wenying Zhang
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-04510-3

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