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Familial Mediterranean fever in Syrian patients: MEFV gene mutations and genotype–phenotype correlation

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Abstract

Familial Mediterranean fever is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of abdominal pain, synovitis and pleuritis. MEFV gene mutations are responsible for the disease. The objective of this study was to identify the frequency and distribution of 12 MEFV mutations in 153 Syrian patients and perform a genotype–phenotype correlation in the patients’ cohort. Of the 153 unrelated patients investigated, 97 (63.4%) had at least one mutation. The most frequent mutation was M694V (36.5%), followed by V726A (15.2%), E148Q (14.5%), M680I (G/C) (13.2%), and M694I (10.2%) mutations. Rare mutations (R761H, A744S, M680I (G/A), K695R, P369S, F479L and I692del) were also detected in the patients. M694V was associated with the severe form of the disease. The identification of a significant number of FMF patients with no mutations or only one known mutation identified indicates the presence of new mutations in the MEFV gene which will be investigated in the future.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Mrs Sumaya Al-Barrawi for technical assistance. I would also like to thank Prof. Ibrahim Othman, the Director General of AECS, and Dr. Nizar MirAli, Head of Department, for their support. This project was financially supported by Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS).

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  1. Clinical Genetics Unit, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS), P.O. Box 6091, Damascus, Syria

    Rami A. Jarjour

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Correspondence to Rami A. Jarjour.

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Jarjour, R.A. Familial Mediterranean fever in Syrian patients: MEFV gene mutations and genotype–phenotype correlation. Mol Biol Rep 37, 1–5 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-009-9475-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-009-9475-9

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