Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by oculocutaneous albinism and a bleeding diathesis due to platelet dysfunction. More than 50% of cases worldwide are diagnosed on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. Genetic testing plays a growing role in diagnosis; however, not all patients with HPS have identified genetic mutations. In Puerto Rico, patients with HPS are often identified shortly after birth by their albinism, although the degree of hypopigmentation is highly variable. Ten subtypes have been described. Patients with HPS-1, HPS-2, and HPS-4 tend to develop pulmonary fibrosis in Puerto Rico; 100% of patients with HPS-1 develop HPS-PF. HPS-PF and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are considered similar entities (albeit with distinct causes) because both can show similar histological disease patterns. However, in contrast to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, HPS-PF manifests much earlier, often at 30-40 years of age. The progression of HPS-PF is characterized by the development of dyspnea and increasingly debilitating hypoxemia. No therapeutic interventions are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HPS and HPS-PF. However, the approval of two new antifibrotic drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib, has prompted new interest in identifying drugs capable of reversing or halting the progression of HPS-PF. Thus, lung transplantation remains the only potentially life-prolonging treatment. At present, two clinical trials are recruiting patients with HPS-PF to identify biomarkers for disease progression. Advances in the diagnosis and management of these patients will require the establishment of multidisciplinary centers of excellence staffed by experts in this disease.

We report on a father and his two daughters diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) but with craniofacial differences (zygomatic and mandibular hypoplasia and cleft palate) and external ear abnormalities suggestive of Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS). The diagnosis of KFS was favored, given that the neck anomalies were the predominant manifestations, and that the diagnosis predated later recognition of the association between spinal segmentation abnormalities and TCS. Genetic heterogeneity and the rarity of large families with KFS have limited the ability to identify mutations by traditional methods. Whole exome sequencing identified a nonsynonymous mutation in POLR1D (subunit of RNA polymerase I and II): exon2:c.T332C:p.L111P. Mutations in POLR1D are present in about 5% of individuals diagnosed with TCS. We propose that this mutation is causal in this family, suggesting a pathogenetic link between KFS and TCS.

Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by craniofacial abnormalities, mental retardation, short stature, and hypotonia. Patients with CLS may present with multiple musculoskeletal abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the musculoskeletal findings in 10 patients with CLS. Eight patients presented with thoracolumbar kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis, with a mean Cobb angle of 45 degrees in the coronal plane and 31 degrees of thoracolumbar kyphosis. These may be progressive and difficult to treat, needing early surgical treatment. Close follow-up of the spinal deformities is strongly recommended to document progression. Sixty percent of the patients presented with bilateral flexible and painless planovalgus deformities. Hypoplasia of the ilium and hand deformities are common but do not seem to cause any functional problems. Observation is recommended for these asymptomatic hand, foot, and pelvic findings.

No abstract

IMPACT: Alterations in mitochondrial metabolism affect any tissue, especially those with the highest demand for energy. As the symptoms and clinical manifestations are heterogenous, disease diagnosis is challenging. The implementation of genetic-first approach in the diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases will expedite confirmation, treatment, management, and counseling of affected Puerto Rican individuals. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Mitochondrial diseases are rare, and diagnosis is complex due to the heterogeneity of clinical manifestations. We aim to develop and implement a testing algorithm using a genetics-first approach, facilitating the identification of variants that contribute to mitochondrial disease's etiology and influence onset and progression in Puerto Ricans. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This is a cross-sectional study for characterizing clinical laboratory results from profiles used to evaluate metabolic