A Rare Case of Emberger Syndrome Caused By a De Novo Mutation in the GATA2 Gene

Lymphology. 2016 Mar;49(1):15-20.

Abstract

Emberger syndrome, or primary lymphedema with myelodysplasia, is a severe rare disease characterized by early primary lymphedema and blood anomalies including acute childhood leukemia. The syndrome is associated with heterozygous mutations in the GATA2 gene. We report on a 13-year-old boy who developed lymphedema of the right lower limb at age 6 years which was accompanied by severe panleukopenia and repeated episodes of erysipelas. The suspicion of Emberger syndrome was confirmed by detection of a new germinal line GATA2 mutation c.414_417del, p.Ser139Cysfs*78. Clinical treatment included a bone marrow transplant from the father.This case is one of a very limited number of Emberger syndrome cases documented in the literature, and genetic testing proved fundamental for definition of the condition and its association with a de novo mutation in the GATA2 which is reported here for the first time.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Erysipelas / etiology
  • GATA2 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Leukopenia / complications
  • Leukopenia / genetics*
  • Leukopenia / therapy
  • Lymphangitis / etiology
  • Lymphedema / complications
  • Lymphedema / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphedema / genetics*
  • Lymphography
  • Lymphoscintigraphy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / complications
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / genetics*
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / therapy
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • GATA2 Transcription Factor
  • GATA2 protein, human