Novel SERPING1 gene mutations and clinical experience of type 1
hereditary angioedema from North India
Abstract
Background: There is paucity of literature on long term follow-up of
patients with Hereditary angioedema (HAE) from developing countries.
Objective: This study was carried out to analyse the clinical
manifestations, laboratory features and genetic profile of 32 patients
(21 male and 11 female) from 23 families diagnosed with HAE between
January 1996 and December 2019. Methods: Data were retrieved from
medical records of the Paediatric Immunodeficiency Clinic, Post Graduate
Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. Results:
Median age at onset of symptoms was 6.25 years (range 1–25 years) and
median age at diagnosis was 12 years (range 2-43 years). Serum
complement C4 level was decreased in all patients. All patients had low
C1- esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) quantitative level (type 1 HAE).
SERPING1 gene sequencing could be carried out in 20 families. Of these,
11 were identified to have a pathogenic disease-causing variant in the
SERPING1 gene. While 2 of these families had a previously reported
mutation, remaining 9 families had novel pathogenic variants in SERPING1
gene. Because of non-availability of C1-INH therapy in India, all
patients were given long term prophylaxis (attenuated androgens or
tranexamic acid or a combination of the 2). Life-threatening episodes of
laryngeal oedema were managed with fresh frozen plasma infusions. Only
one disease related mortality was reported in the entire cohort.
Conclusions: We report largest single centre cohort of patients with HAE
from India. Attenuated androgens, fibrinolytic agents and fresh frozen
plasma may be effectively used for management of HAE in resource limited
settings.