Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0026838 (spasticity)
 6,471 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In children with congenital rubella infection the deficits remain stable; neurologic deterioration after the first few years of life is not believed to occur. We have encountered three patients with a definite or presumptive diagnosis of congenital rubella, in whom a progressive neurologic illness developed that began in the second decade and was characterized by spasticity, ataxia, intellectual deterioration, and seizures. High antibody titers to rubella virus in serum and spinal fluid were present in two, and all had increased cerebrospinal-fluid protein and gamma globulin. Extensive attempts to recover a virus from brain and body fluids were unsuccessful. The brains of two patients showed a widespread, progressive, subacute panencephalitis mainly affecting white matter. These data suggest that rubella virus may be a cause of progressive panencephalitis.
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PMID:Progressive rubella panencephalitis. Late onset after congenital rubella. 111 60

An infant girl had the clinical and immunologic findings of congenital rubella syndrome but also had arthrogryposis multiplex and calcific epiphyseal stippling. Spastic quadriparesis developed, and both physical and behavioral development were slow. Increased spasticity of the legs at 5 1/2 years was related not to progressive rubella encephalomyelopathy but to spinal cord compression by abnormal cartilaginous tissue. The presence of a peroxisomal disorder was demonstrated by a greatly increased level of phytanic acid and slightly increased levels of hexacosanoate in serum and by reduced activity of peroxisomal dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase and a slightly increased ratio of cytosolic to peroxisomal catalase activity in cultured fibroblasts. A reduction in the number and size of peroxisomes was demonstrated in cultured fibroblasts, and a needle biopsy specimen of the liver also showed the peroxisomes to have a smaller diameter than usual. We recommend that any child with epiphyseal stippling be assessed for peroxisomal disease and that the potential for spinal cord compression by dysplastic bone or cartilage be recognized. The association of peroxisomal dysfunction with congenital rubella has not been described previously. The interaction between rubella virus infection and peroxisomal function may need further investigation.
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PMID:Congenital rubella syndrome associated with calcific epiphyseal stippling and peroxisomal dysfunction. 229 68

This report is on six cases of a chronic relentlessly progressive encephalitis occurring in boys with congenital hypogammaglobulinemia presumably of the x-linked type, which are thought to represent a separate neurological entity. Intellectual deterioration, dysarthria, spasticity, ataxia, optic atrophy and an increase of lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid, were the main clinical signs. The pathological picture was that of a viral encephalitis, but all virological investigations on brain biopsies and CSF were negative. The significance of intra-cisternal tubuloreticular inclusions in brain endothelial cells, similarities with chronic rubella encephalitis, and the role of the immunological deficiency are discussed. Sofar, the cause of this new type of encephalitis remains obscure.
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PMID:Chronic progressive encephalitis in children with x-linked hypogammaglobulinemia. 625 8

We report a 21-year-old man with agammaglobulinemia and chronic progressive encephalopathy. The patient was diagnosed as having X-linked agammaglobulinemia at 6 months of age, and gamma globulin supplementation was initiated. He exhibited normal development until he was 11 years old, when he showed a decline in school performance and a personality change. Computed tomography images at that time disclosed diffuse cerebral atrophy. Several generalized tonic-clonic convulsions, myoclonus and spasticity appeared at the age of 13 years. He lost his ability to walk and speak at the age of 17 years old. He is currently 21 years old and displays severe mental deterioration and spastic tetraplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed progressive diffuse cerebral atrophy with no change in intensity. The cerebellum and the brain stem were relatively well maintained. Viral isolations were negative and serum antibody titers for rubella, measles, and human immune deficiency virus were not elevated. Our patient's symptoms resemble those previously reported as chronic progressive encephalopathy without viral isolation. This condition may be a complication of agammaglobulinemia. It is possible that the encephalopathy of our patient has the same etiology as that described in the other reports. Further attempts to identify the etiology of the encephalopathy using molecular techniques are necessary.
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PMID:[A case of agammaglobulinemia with chronic progressive encephalopathy]. 795 27

In the 1970s, Stella Chess found a high prevalence of autism in children with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), 200 times that of the general population at the time. Many researchers quote this fact to add proof to the current theory that maternal infection with immune system activation in pregnancy leads to autism in the offspring. This rubella and autism association is presented with the notion that rubella has been eliminated in today's world. CRS cases are no longer typically seen; yet, autistic children often share findings of CRS including deafness, congenital heart defects, and to a lesser extent visual changes. Autistic children commonly have hyperactivity and spasticity, as do CRS children. Both autistic and CRS individuals may develop type 1 diabetes as young adults. Neuropathology of CRS infants may reveal cerebral vasculitis with narrowed lumens and cerebral necrosis. Neuroradiological findings of children with CRS show calcifications, periventricular leukomalacia, and dilated perivascular spaces. Neuroradiology of autism has also demonstrated hyperintensities, leukomalacia, and prominent perivascular spaces. PET studies of autistic individuals exhibit decreased perfusion to areas of the brain similarly affected by rubella. In both autism and CRS, certain changes in the brain have implicated the immune system. Several children with autism lack antibodies to rubella, as do children with CRS. These numerous similarities increase the probability of an association between rubella virus and autism. Rubella and autism cross many ethnicities in many countries. Contrary to current belief, rubella has not been eradicated and globally affects up to 5% of pregnant women. Susceptibility continues as vaccines are not given worldwide and are not fully protective. Rubella might still cause autism, even in vaccinated populations.
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PMID:Does Rubella Cause Autism: A 2015 Reappraisal? 2686 6

Intrauterine infections with the pathogens, including toxoplasmosis, other (syphilis, varicella, mumps, parvovirus, and HIV), rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex (TORCH) in susceptible individuals during pregnancy, result in microcephaly, white matter disease, cerebral atrophy, and calcifications in the fetus. Pseudo-TORCH syndrome is an umbrella term, consisting of several syndromes, resultant from different genetic alterations and pathogenetic mechanisms. Band-like calcification with simplified gyration and polymicrogyria (BLC-PMG) is one of these conditions, resultant from biallelic mutations in the OCLN gene, located in the chromosome 5q13.2. OCLN gene encodes occludin, a tight junction protein, which is expressed in the endothelia. The absence of occludin in the developing brain subsequently results in abnormal blood-brain barrier, thus immune-cell mediated tissue damage and cortical malformation. Herein, we present a pediatric patient who had progressive microcephaly, spasticity, multi-drug resistant epilepsy, PMG and intracranial band-type calcifications, accompanied by central diabetes insipidus and renal dysfunction. Whole exome sequencing revealed a homozygote W58Ffs*10 (c.173_194del) frameshift mutation in the OCLN gene. Of 34 BLC-PMG cases with demonstrable OCLN mutations, only three had renal manifestations, which is responsible for the majority of the demises. This is the first case diagnosed as having central diabetes insipidus and responded to desmopressin treatment to the best of our knowledge, however, this clinical improvement could not prevent the patient from renal dysfunction. The patient deceased at four years of age from sepsis, therefore early diagnosis, optimal follow-up for renal involvement and infection prevention measures are necessary for the patients with BLC-PMG.
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PMID:A homozygote frameshift mutation in OCLN gene result in Pseudo-TORCH syndrome type I: A case report extending the phenotype with central diabetes insipidus and renal dysfunction. 3224 Aug 28