Autosomal recessive type of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa with a novel variant in the COL7A1 gene

Abstract

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is an inherited skin condition whose hallmark is skin fragility caused by minimal trauma or friction. The dystrophic type of EB (DEB), accounting for 30% of all cases, is caused by mutations in the gene encoding type VII collagen α1 chain (COL7A1). It is inherited in an autosomal-dominant or autosomal-recessive manner. The clinical manifestations tend to be variable and frequently overlapping. Therefore, genetic testing is of great significance for establishing an exact genetic diagnosis. The present case study reports on a female patient with a clinical diagnosis of DEB, who had an inconclusive phenotype with no family history of DEB. Genetic analysis of the patient, via next-generation sequencing, revealed a compound heterozygous state for the COL7A1 gene. Segregation analysis revealed the parental origin of both variants-a missense variant [c.6022C>T p.(Arg2008Cys)] inherited from the father and a novel frameshift variant [c.3474del p.(Val1160Ter)] inherited from the mother. The established result assigned an exact genetic diagnosis and type of inheritance and allowed the personalization of the genetic counseling for this patient with regard to prognosis and future reproduction.