Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

A Zambrano

Publications and source records attributed to A Zambrano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Informativeness of polymorphic markers for prenatal diagnosis of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa in Spanish families at risk.

DNA polymorphic markers are useful for the prenatal diagnosis of generalized recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (GRDEB) in families with at least one child affected with the disease. It is our policy to investigate families at risk using DNA polymorphic markers before a new pregnancy is intended, to inform about the real chances of offering an accurate prenatal diagnosis based on such DNA markers. We have analysed 10 Spanish families with at least one child affected with GRDEB with three different markers linked to the type VII collagen gene: the intragenic PvuII RFLP, and two markers mapped close to the COL7A1 gene, an MspI polymorphism belonging to the anonymous marker D3S2, and the microsatellite D3S1100. The PvuII marker was partially informative in two of 10 families, and was fully informative in three additional families; The MspI marker was partially informative in two of 10 families, and was fully informative in three additional families; it was not informative in five families. The D3S1100 microsatellite was partially informative in two out of 10 families, and fully informative in the other eight families. Combination of all three markers was shown to be partially informative in one family and fully informative in the remaining nine families. Using this combination of markers, we have inferred an accurate linkage-based prenatal diagnosis of GRDEB in four pregnancies. Surprisingly, the intragenic marker PvuII had a very limited usefulness, despite the results of previous studies; the microsatellite D3S1100 offered the best results for an eventual prenatal diagnosis of GRDEB. However, families at risk should be informed that extragenic markers may fail due to the possibility of recombination, estimated as 5% for D3S1100.

Collagen

[Pseudotumor forms of demyelinating diseases. Report of three cases and review of the literature].

INTRODUCTION AND CLINICAL CASES: We present three patients with unusual clinical findings studied in our hospital, after a period of follow-up of at least two years from the time of diagnosis of their demyelinating condition. We discuss the clinical onset, CT and magnetic resonance findings, neuropathological studies and posterior clinical course. Anatomopathological studies were done in two of the cases, since the diagnoses were not clear and the other paraclinical investigations did not clarify things. DISCUSSION: The presence of large space-occupying lesions or ring-like outlines in myelinating disorders may make it difficult to make a differential diagnosis from other conditions such as neoplasias and abscesses. This may lead to an erroneous initial diagnosis and even to the use of unsuitable, aggressive treatments. CONCLUSIONS: In young patients in whom radiological imaging suggests space-occupying lesions (single or multiple) one should consider the possibility of a primary demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with the appearance of a pseudo-tumour. In certain cases, stereotaxic biopsy should be considered if the diagnosis remains in doubt, rather than begin unsuitable treatment. The fundamental reason for the presentation of our cases is to emphasize that these pseudo-tumoral forms of demyelinating diseases should be considered in diagnosis.

Adolescent

Absolute linkage of celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis to HLA-DQ.

This report shows the absolute genetic linkage of celiac disease (CD) to the HLA-DQ region, and supports the fact that dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) follows the same pattern of HLA-mediated susceptibility in extensive series of Caucasian Spanish patients. Ninety-five percent of CD (201 of 212) and 100% of DH (55) patients could produce DQ alpha 1*0501-DQ beta 1*02 heterodimers. Negative CD patients for this combination were mostly DR4-DQ8 (DQA1*03-DQB1*0302) (9 OF 11), along with a restricted number of complementary chromosomes. Comparison of observed and expected DQA1-DQB1 genotype distributions (Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium) showed that the excess of patients with DQB1*02 in double doses would be the consequence for which this allele should be complemented by DQA1*0501. Homozygosity for DQA1*0501 would restrain susceptibility to CD and DH.

Alleles

Costello syndrome.

Costello syndrome is an uncommon multisystemic condition with highly characteristic cutaneous manifestations. We describe here the case of a patient with Costello syndrome, and review previous reports of this entity.

Abnormalities, Multiple

Caseating cutaneous granulomas in a child with common variable immunodeficiency.

Cutaneous, noninfectious, granulomatous lesions have been reported occasionally in different types of immunodeficiencies, including common variable immunodeficiency (CVD). We present a child with CVID and cutaneous granulomas with a strikingly prominent caseating necrosis. We think that such granulomatous lesions constitute a distinctive manifestation of immunodeficiency, and may reflect a altered immune response. Corticosteroids have been of benefit to our patient, as well as in similar cases.

Child

Stiff skin syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

Stiff skin syndrome (SSS) is a rare disorder characterized by stony-hard skin, limited joint mobility and mild hypertrichosis. We present a severe case in a 4-year-old boy. In addition to the clinical and histological features of SSS, our patient also had muscle and bone involvement along with pyloric stenosis, gastro-esophageal reflux, inguinal hernias and atopic dermatitis. We highlight the complexity of this case and the diagnostic approach to patients with this disorder. We also review and summarize the 24 cases previously reported in the literature.

Child, Preschool

Keratosis lichenoides chronica in a child.

A young boy developed childhood keratosis lichenoides chronica. The eruption cleared spontaneously after 13 years. This is a rare condition, regarded by some as a variant of lichen planus. The great preponderance of cases occur in adults, whereas the disease in childhood is uncommon.

Child, Preschool

Urticaria pigmentosa: a review of 67 pediatric cases.

Mastocytosis is a disorder of mast cell proliferation that may appear during infancy, childhood, or adulthood. We studied 67 consecutive patients (33 males, 34 females) with urticaria pigmentosa and assessed them fully to determine the presence of systemic involvement. Ages at onset of lesions ranged from birth to 11 years, with most developing in the first year of life. Pruritus was the primary symptom. Hematologic and serum chemistry profile, radiologic skeletal surveys, and bone marrow aspirations were performed. Slight anemia was present in three patients. Radiologic bone lesions were observed in eight. Bone marrow aspirates showed slight changes in six patients, with only an increased number of mast cells in an additional patient. The disease tended to resolve spontaneously. This prospective study emphasizes the benign nature of pediatric urticaria pigmentosa.

Age of Onset