Diseases

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome. Alternative Names: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome is an inherited disorder of the blood vessels, which can cause excessive bleeding. The syndrome is also called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, or HHT.

Hereditary hyperuricemia

Hyperuricemia and gout have long been known to run in families. As well as an apparently multifactorial genetic component to classic gout itself, 2 rather unusual sex-linked single-gene disorders of purine biosynthesis or recycling have been defined: deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guaninephosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), and overactivity of PPriboseP synthase. Both result in overproduction of urate, hyperuricemia, and secondary overexcretion that may lead to acute or chronic renal damage. Familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy (FJHN) and autosomal-dominant medullary cystic kidney disease (ADMCKD) are more common but less well-defined hyperuricemic conditions resulting from a decrease in the fractional excretion of filtered urate, with normal urate production. Although having features in common, ADMCKD is distinguished in particular by the presence of medullary cysts. One major group of both disorders is associated with mutations in the gene for uromodulin, but this accounts for only about one third of cases, and genetic heterogeneity is present. Whether the genes involved in these latter disorders contribute to the polygenic hyperuricemia and urate underexcretion of classic gout remains unexplored.

Hereditary koilonychia

Hereditary koilonychia: An inherited anomaly where the nails are flattened or concave-shaped rather than the normal curved shape.

Hereditary macrothrombocytopenia

Hereditary macrothrombocytopenia: A rare inherited blood disorder where the blood platelets are abnormally large. Blood platelets are involved in the blood clotting process but patients with the condition often have no symptoms or suffer mild bleeding problems.

Hereditary methemoglobinemia- recessive

Autosomal recessive congenital methemoglobinemia is an inherited condition that affects the normal function of hemoglobulin (Hemoglobin carries oxygen to cells and tissues throughout the body). Methemoglobinemiaoccurs when red blood cells (RBCs) contain methemoglobin at levels higher than 1%. Methemoglobin results from the presence of iron in the ferric form instead of the usual ferrous form. This results in a decreased availability of oxygen to the tissues, leading to a bluish appearance of the skin, lips, and nails (cyanosis).

There are four types of hereditary methemoglobinemias that are secondary to deficiency of NADH cytochrome b5 reductase, which is encoded by the CYB5R3gene. All of them are autosomal recessive disorders. Heterozygotes have 50% enzyme activity and no cyanosis; homozygotes that have elevated methemoglobin levels above 1.5% have clinical cyanosis. The four types are as follows:

  • Type I – This is the most common variant, and the enzyme deficiency is limited to the erythrocytes causing cyanosis; cyanosis usually, but not always, develops during infancy
  • Type II – Widespread deficiency of the enzyme occurs in various tissues, including erythrocytes, liver, fibroblasts, and brain; it is associated with severe CNS symptoms, including encephalopathy, microcephaly, hypertonia, athetosis, opisthotonos, strabismus, mental retardation, and growth retardation; cyanosis is evident at an early age
  • Type III – Although the hematopoietic system (platelets, RBCs, and white blood cells [WBCs]) is involved, the only clinical consequence is cyanosis
  • Type IV – Like type I, this type has isolated involvement of the erythrocytes but results in chronic cyanosis

Hereditary multiple exostoses

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME or MHE), also known as Diaphyseal aclasis, is a rare medical condition in which multiple bony spurs or lumps (also known as exostoses, or osteochondromas) develop on the bones of a child. HME is synonymous with Multiple hereditary exostoses and Multiple osteochondromatosis, which is the preferred term used by the World Health Organization.

Hereditary myopathy with intranuclear filamentous

Hereditary myopathy with intranuclear filamentous, aka Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is one of a group of muscle diseases known as inflammatory myopathies, which are characterized by chronic muscle inflammation accompanied by muscle weakness. It is a slowly progressive disease, which causes a gradual deterioration of muscles that become thin and weak over the years. Most limb muscles can be affected. In particular the quadriceps (the thigh muscles which extend the knee joint), and forearm muscles that flex the wrists and fingers are commonly weak. Accordingly, patients often notice difficulty with stairs, getting out of a chair and a poor grip. Swallowing muscles are affected in some patients, but the disease typically does not affect muscles of the heart, eye, gut or bladder. It also does not affect the function of the brain or sensation, and speech is rarely affected. In general patients do not die of the disease, but most meet with some degree of disability as the disease progresses. The disease itself is painless. However, weakened muscles can predispose to injuries affecting bones, joints and soft tissues.

There are two types - sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) and hereditary inclusion body myositis (hIBM)

In sIBM, two processes, one autoimmune and the other degenerative, appear to occur in the muscle cells in parallel. It usually occurs in middle to late life and is more common in men than women.

hIBM lacks some of the inflammatory characteristics of sporadic IBM. The disease develops in young adults and is caused by a wide range of genetic defects that can be passed between generations. Generally, these defects cause neuromuscular disorders characterized by muscle weakness. hIBM comprise both autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant muscle disorders that have a variable expression (phenotype) in individual patients

 

Sources: Wikipedia, The Myositis Association; Medpedia; Muscular Dystrophy Campaign

Hereditary nodular heterotopia

Hereditary nodular heterotopia: A rare inherited disorder where a part of the brain tissue is misplaced during development.

Hereditary non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia

Hereditary non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia: A group of genetic blood disorders where red blood cells are prematurely destroyed resulting in anemia if they are not replaced fast enough. The blood cells are destroyed because they have abnormally weak membranes which gives them an irregular shape rather than normal doughnut shape.

Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (also known as HNPCC, Lynch syndrome, Familial non-polyposis colon cancer) is an inherited genetic condition, which accounts for 2-7% of all colorectal cancers.

HNPCC is divided into two types, type 1 (also known as Lynch syndrome I or familial colon cancer), where tumors localize exclusively in the colon and type 2 (Lynch syndrome II), associated with other cancers of the gastrointestinal or reproductive system (stomach, endometrium, ovary, and urinary tract).

 

Source:

Müller A, Fishel R. Mismatch repair and the hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC). Cancer Invest. 2002;20(1):102-9.

University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center

 

 

Hereditary pancreatitis

Hereditary pancreatitis: A rare inherited condition involving recurring bouts of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) often leading to chronic pancreatitis due to scarring of the pancreas.

Hereditary paroxysmal cerebral ataxia

Acetazolamide-responsive, hereditary, paroxysmal, cerebellar ataxia (medical condition): A rare genetic disorder characterized by episodes of incoordination and unsteadiness as well as nystagmus (rapid, involuntary eye movements). Stress, exertion, alcohol and coffee may trigger the episodes which can last from hours to days. Type 2 is caused by a defect in the calcium ion gene on chromosome 19p13. Acetazolamide-responsive, hereditary, paroxysmal, cerebellar ataxia: Another name for Episodic ataxia, type 2 (or close medical condition association). Episodic ataxia, type 2: A rare genetic disorder characterized by episodes of incoordination and unsteadiness as well as nystagmus (rapid, involuntary eye movements). Stress, exertion, alcohol and coffee may trigger the episodes which can last from hours to days. Type 2 is caused by a defect in the calcium ion gene on chromosome 19p13.

Hereditary peripheral nervous disorder

Hereditary peripheral nervous disorder: A group of inherited disorders affecting the peripheral nerves (nerves other than the brain and spinal cord). The motor, sensory and/or autonomic nerves may be affected. Examples of such conditions includes Dejerine-Sottas disease and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Hereditary primary Fanconi disease

Hereditary primary Fanconi disease: A rare inherited disorder characterized by defective reabsorption of various substances such as phosphate, potassium, amino acids and glucose which manifests as a wide range of abnormalities and problems.

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 2

Hereditary sensory neuropathy type II (HSN2) is a rare genetic disorder that usually begins in childhood by affecting the nerves that serve the lower arms and hands and the lower legs and feet (the peripheral nerves). Symptoms start with inflamed fingers or toes especially around the nails. Infection is common and worsens as ulcers (open sores) form on the fingers and on the soles of the feet. The loss of sensation in both hands and feet often leads to neglect of the wounds. This can become serious, even leading to amputation in extreme cases, so it is important to care for any such wounds.

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 3 (Familial Dysautonomia)

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 3, also called familial dysautonomia, is a genetic disorder that affects the development and survival of certain nerve cells. The disorder disturbs cells in the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary actions such as digestion, breathing, production of tears, and the regulation of blood pressure and body temperature. It also affects the sensory nervous system, which controls activities related to the senses, such as taste and the perception of pain, heat, and cold. Familial dysautonomia is also called hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, type III.

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 4

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 4 (HSAN 4) - also or more commonly known as Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) - has two characteristic features: the inability to feel pain and temperature, and decreased or absent sweating (anhidrosis). The signs and symptoms of CIPA appear early, usually at birth or during infancy, but with careful medical attention, affected individuals can live into adulthood.

Hereditary sensory neuropathy type 2

The hereditary sensory neuropathies (HSN) include 4-6 similar but distinct inherited degenerative disorders of the nervous system (neurodegenerative) that frequently progress to loss of feeling, especially in the hands and feet. Some types of HSN are related to or identical with some forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder, and others are related to or identical with familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day syndrome). The classification of the HSNs is complicated, and the experts do not always agree on it. Hereditary sensory neuropathy type II (HSN2) is a rare genetic disorder that usually begins in childhood by affecting the nerves that serve the lower arms and hands and the lower legs and feet (the peripheral nerves). Symptoms start with inflamed fingers or toes especially around the nails. Infection is common and worsens as ulcers (open sores) form on the fingers and on the soles of the feet. The loss of sensation in both hands and feet often leads to neglect of the wounds. This can become serious, even leading to amputation in extreme cases, so it is important to care for any such wounds. The disorder affects many of the body’s systems, is characterized by early onset (infancy or early childhood) and is transmitted genetically as an autosomal recessive trait.

Hereditary spastic paralysis- infantile onset ascending

A rare inherited progressive condition where the muscles of the arms, legs and face become increasingly weak and stiff due to damage to nerve cells that control muscle movement. The legs are affected first and then the arms and face - the symptoms ascend up the body. This condition involves mutations in the same gene and overlapping symptoms with juvenile primary lateral sclerosis but the difference is that primary lateral sclerosis only involves degeneration of the upper motor neurons whereas infantile-onset spastic paralysis is more severe and involves degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons

Hereditary spastic paraplegia

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), is a group of inherited diseases whose main feature is progressive stiffness and contraction (spasticity) in the lower limbs,as a result of damage to or dysfunction of the nerves.

HSP is not a form of cerebral palsy even though it physically may appear and behave much the same as, for example, spastic diplegia. The origins of HSP are entirely separate phenomena from cerebral palsy. Despite this, some of the same anti-spasticity medications used in spastic cerebral palsy are sometimes used to try to treat HSP symptomatology.

The condition sometimes also affects the optic nerve and retina of the eye, causes cataracts, ataxia (lack of muscle coordination), epilepsy, cognitive impairment, peripheral neuropathy, and deafness. HSP is caused by defects in the mechanisms that transport proteins and other substances through the cell. Long nerves are affected because they have to transport cellular material through long distances, and are particularly sensitive to defects of cellular transport.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia was first described in 1883 by Adolph Strümpell, a German neurologist, and was later described more extensively in 1888 by Maurice Lorrain, a French physician.

Hereditary spherocytic hemolytic anemia

An inherited blood disorder where a metabolic defect causes defects in the red blood cells membranes which leads to their characteristic spherical shape (normal cells are doughnut shaped) and premature destruction

Hereditary spherocytosis

Hereditary spherocytosis is a rare genetic condition characterized by a defect of the red blood cell membrane. People with this condition typically experience a shortage of red blood cells (anemia), yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice), and an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly). Most newborns with hereditary spherocytosis have severe anemia, although it improves after the first year of life. Splenomegaly can occur anytime from early childhood to adulthood. About half of affected individuals develop hard deposits in the gallbladder called gallstones, which typically occur from late childhood to mid-adulthood.

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) with polyneuropathy

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) with polyneuropathy (formerly known as Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy) is a rare disease due to mutations in the gene encoding transthyretin (TTR) and characterized by multisystem extracellular deposition of amyloid, leading to dysfunction of different organs and tissues.

Hereditary type 1 neuropathy

Hereditary sensory neuropathy Type I (HSN1) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the loss of sensation (sensory loss), especially in the feet and legs and, less severely, in the hands and forearms. The sensory loss is due to abnormal functioning of the sensory nerves that control responses to pain and temperature and may also affect the autonomic nervous system that controls other involuntary or automatic body processes.

Hereditary type 2 neuropathy

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, type 2 (HSAN2) is an inherited disorder characterized by profound and universal sensory loss involving large and small fiber nerves, and marked hypotonia. The exact prevalence is unknown, but is estimated as very low (less than 50 cases reported). HSAN2 presents in infancy or early childhood and is non-progressive. There is no sex preference or particular ethnic preponderance, and to date there is no increased incidence of consanguinity.

Hereditary Xerocytosis

Hereditary stomatocytosis and hereditary xerocytosis are rare, genetically distinct, autosomal dominant diseases of red blood cell sodium and potassium permeability. Hereditary cryohydrocytosis is a subtype of hereditary stomatocytosis. All three present with hemolysis and anemia, which can vary from mild to severe. The key signs and symptoms are those of all hemolytic anemias: jaundice, pallor, fatigue, splenomegaly, gallbladder disease, and susceptibility to an aplastic crisis following infection with parvovirus B19. The diseases begin at birth, but especially in the case of hereditary xerocytosis and hereditary cryohydrocytosis, may be mild enough to go undiscovered for years.

Hermansky Pudlak syndrome 2

A rare disorder characterized by various degrees of albinism, bleeding due to a platelet defect, an accumulation of a waxy substance in cells (lysosomal ceroid storage) and immunodeficiency. HPS type 2 differs from type 1 in that it also involves immunodeficiency due to congenital neutropenia.

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a rare disorder characterized by various degrees of albinism, bleeding due to a platelet defect and accumulation of a waxy substance in cells (lysosomal ceroid storage).