Genetic Counseling in Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders: An Emerging Experience in Egypt

Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases of the immune system leading to life-threatening infections, and, unless urgently treated with immune reconstitution, patients do not usually survive. With the continuing progress in molecular diagnosis, many mutations have been described in more than 300 genes. Genetic counseling has recently been considered an essential part of the management of PIDs. This study presents the experience of genetic counseling services in the largest PID center in Egypt, and reports on our management plan and the impact of prenatal diagnosis (PND) on families.

Based on the biochemical and molecular diagnosis of index cases, PND was offered for 10 families in 12 subsequent pregnancies. Five different genes were sequenced by Sanger sequencing in fetal samples.

Seven fetuses were either normal or were carriers, while five fetuses were affected and human leukocyte antigen typing was performed, seeking a suitably related donor for stem cell transplantation.

In spite of the genetic heterogeneity behind PIDs, genetic counseling should play a critical role in the management and future decisions of affected families.