OMIM ID:
Corneal Dystrophy, Avellino Type
Alternate Names
Defective Genes
Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features
There is little to support the designation of a corneal dystrophy as ‘Avellino type’ but it is included in this database because it is entrenched in the literature. It has features of both lattice dystrophy, type I, and granular dystrophy type I, which might be expected since all of these result from mutations in the same gene, TGFBI on chromosome 5. Not surprisingly, reported cases have clinical and histological features of both lattice and granular dystrophy and hence are labeled as having combined granular-lattice corneal dystrophy. There is considerable variation of the nature and quantity of the stromal deposits both within and among families, a common characteristic of autosomal dominant disorders. Even though clinical evidence may suggest primarily lattice or granular dystrophy, histological studies can reveal changes characteristic of both.
Early cases could be traced to the Avellino region of Italy from which the title was derived but more recent reports have described families from around the world.
Systemic Features
No systemic disease is associated with this disorder.
Genetics
Inheritance
Mutations in the TGFBI (5q31) have been found in this so-called combined dystrophy. Autosomal dominant transmission is evident from familial cases. Mutations in the same gene also cause Thiel-Behnke (602082), Reis-Bucklers (608470), granular (Groenouw) type I (121900), lattice type I (122200) and epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (121820). The combined features of lattice and granular dystrophies in the same corneas resulting from mutations in the same gene calls into question the value of relying solely on clinical and histological evidence to classify disease. Modern genotyping now enables greater accuracy in the nosology and already the Cornea Society has incorporated this information in its recent reclassification of these dystrophies (Cornea Society IC3D Corneal Dystrophies©).
Pedigree
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal dominant disorders require only one mutation for the disease to be expressed. Since an affected parent has two chromosomes, only one of which has the mutant gene, parents can expect that half (50%) of their children will receive that one and inherit the disease. It is common for individuals that inherit the mutation, however, to not have evidence of the disease (nonpenetrance).
Autosomal dominant inheritance leads to a vertical pattern of transmission