Novel mutation in the glycoprotein Ibβ in a patient with Bernard-Soulier syndrome: possibility of distant parental consanguinity

Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2012 Jun;23(4):335-7. doi: 10.1097/MBC.0b013e32835187e2.

Abstract

Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a prolonged skin-bleeding time and thrombocytopenia with giant platelets. The hallmark of BSS is an abnormal platelet attachment to the vessel wall due to reduced or abnormal glycoprotein Ib/IX/V complex. We present a case of BSS in a 14-month-old boy caused by a novel genetic mutation. The patient has the typical clinical findings of BSS, but he was misdiagnosed for a long period. Evaluation of the peripheral blood smear revealed giant platelets and genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of BSS. The child was found to be homozygous for a nonsense mutation (c.423C > A) in the glycoprotein Ibβ (GPIbβ) gene. Knowing that we are dealing with a very rare syndrome, the detected mutation in our patient was homozygous. Although the parents were nonconsanguineous, we believe that they were related in a distant parental connection, which the parents and their family were not aware of.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bernard-Soulier Syndrome / genetics*
  • Codon, Nonsense*
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pedigree
  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex / genetics*

Substances

  • Codon, Nonsense
  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex