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F Fellmann

Publications and source records attributed to F Fellmann.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Fortuitous detection of uniparental isodisomy of chromosome 6.

Uniparental isodisomy is defined as the inheritance of two copies of the same parental chromosome and can result in defects when it produces homozygosity for a recessive mutation or in the presence of imprinting. We describe the detection of a chromosome 6 uniparental isodisomy in a 9 year old girl, discovered during a search for an HLA identical sib. HLA typing, erythrocyte phenotyping, and genotypes of microsatellite polymorphisms were compatible with a paternal isodisomy of chromosome 6, with normal biparental origin of the other chromosomes. Paternal cells were not responsive to the patient's cells in mixed lymphocyte cultures. This fortuitous detection of a chromosome 6 isodisomy suggests that cases of chromosome 6 UPD may not be deleterious and may therefore go undetected.

Cells, Cultured

Molecular analysis by fluorescence in situ hybridization of a prenatally detected de novo complex chromosomal rearrangement t(2q;3p;4q;13q).

We report one case of de novo complex chromosomal rearrangement (CCR) t(2q;3p;4q;13q) with at least five chromosomal breakpoints. This CCR was detected prenatally at 22 weeks of gestation, when mild echographic indications were disclosed during a routine examination in a female with no family history of congenital abnormalities. This observation clearly illustrates what the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique can offer to the analysis of such rearrangements, together with standard cytogenetic techniques. No chromosomal imbalance was cytologically proved. Nevertheless, the status of the infant at birth and the disorders that he exhibited during the following months demonstrate once again that even in the absence of alarming ultrasonographic verifications and even if standard and molecular cytogenetics do not allow us to confirm evident chromosomal imbalances, genetic counselling in the case of prenatally detected de novo CCR must remain cautious.

Abnormalities, Multiple

Abnormal cholesterol biosynthesis in the Smith-Lemli-Opitz and the lethal acrodysgenital syndromes.

UNLABELLED: The Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLO) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by dysmorphic facial features with abnormal limbs and genitalia. Two forms have been recognized based on clinical course and severity: the classical SLO (type I) and the lethal acrodysgenital syndrome (type II). Type I SLO has been recently ascribed to a defect in cholesterol synthesis. Taking advantage of a series of seven patients including five type I and two type II SLO, we describe micrognathia, severe microcephaly, major ante and post natal growth retardation and feeding difficulties as consistent features in the disease. In addition, we give support to the presence of abnormal cholesterol levels in the lethal acrodysgenital syndrome but find no correlation between plasma sterol levels and the clinical severity of the disease. CONCLUSION: The identification of the same biochemical defect in both types of Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome suggests that despite major discrepancies in clinical course and severity, type I and type II SLo are probably allelic disorders.

Child