PAMI syndrome: A rare cause that can be easily misdiagnosed

Am J Med Genet A. 2021 Oct;185(10):3074-3082. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62367. Epub 2021 May 28.

Abstract

PSTPIP1-associated myeloid-related proteinemia inflammatory (PAMI) syndrome caused by mutations in PSTPIP1 is a rare inflammatory disorder that can be easily misdiagnosed. It is characterized by anemia, arthritis, cutaneous inflammation, recurrent infections, growth failure, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, hyperzincemia/hypercalprotectinemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated inflammatory indicators. This study describes the cases of two pediatric female patients with long-standing recurrent arthralgia in different parts of the extremities and severe anemia, respectively, who were misdiagnosed and treated for aseptic necrosis of the femoral head and severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia, respectively. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed a de novo heterozygous missense mutation (c.748G > A, p. Glu250Lys) in exon 11 of PSTPIP1 (NM_003978.5) in both patients, which supported a diagnosis of PAMI. The patients were treated with prednisone and etanercept, which improved their symptoms, but neutropenia remained unchanged. These cases highlight the importance of genetic assessment for the accurate diagnosis of PAMI and to ensure adequate and timely treatment of these patients.

Keywords: PAMI syndrome; PSTPIP1; anemia; arthritis; neutropenia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / deficiency
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics*
  • Anemia / complications
  • Anemia / diagnosis*
  • Anemia / genetics
  • Anemia / pathology
  • Arthritis / complications
  • Arthritis / diagnosis
  • Arthritis / genetics
  • Arthritis / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / deficiency
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics*
  • Diagnostic Errors / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / diagnosis*
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Metal Metabolism, Inborn Errors
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Myeloid Cells / pathology
  • Neutropenia / complications
  • Neutropenia / diagnosis*
  • Neutropenia / genetics
  • Neutropenia / pathology
  • Phenotype

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • PSTPIP1 protein, human

Supplementary concepts

  • Hyperzincemia with Functional Zinc Depletion