Genomic Confluence: When Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis, Klinefelter Syndrome, and a BRCA2 Variant Intersect

Multilocus pathogenic variation-when multiple genetic disorders coexist in a single individual-remains rare but is increasingly recognized in the era of genomic medicine. Reporting such cases is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, refining clinical management, and informing genetic counseling. We describe a pediatric case with a complex phenotype resulting from the coexistence of two distinct genetic diagnoses-cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), a rare autosomal recessive lipid storage disorder caused by biallelic mutations in the <i>CYP27A1</i> gene and Klinefelter syndrome a common sex chromosome aneuploidy occurring in approximately 1 in 600 males, characterized by hypogonadism, gynecomastia, pubertal delay, infertility, micrognathia, and neurodevelopmental challenges-and an additional incidental finding with clinical relevance. The patient was born to consanguineous parents, presented with neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal dysfunction, endocrine abnormalities, and dysmorphic features. Trio-based exome sequencing identified a homozygous pathogenic variant in <i>CYP27A1</i> consistent with CTX, while conventional G-banded karyotyping revealed a 47,XXY chromosomal pattern, confirming Klinefelter syndrome. Additionally, a heterozygous pathogenic variant in <i>BRCA2</i> was incidentally detected, associated with hereditary cancer predisposition. The overlapping manifestations of CTX and Klinefelter syndrome produced a non-classical presentation that delayed diagnosis. Although the <i>BRCA2</i> variant did not contribute to the current phenotype, it has important implications for future cancer surveillance and family risk assessment. This case underscores the importance of combining classical cytogenetic and modern genomic methods to elucidate complex phenotypes, particularly in consanguineous populations, and highlights the need for the multidisciplinary management of patients with multilocus or incidental findings.

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Publication Details

Journal
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Published
2025-10-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110510
Primary Topic
Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism
Type
article
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article

Genomic Confluence: When Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis, Klinefelter Syndrome, and a BRCA2 Variant Intersect

Harry Pachajoa, Silvia Bonilla, Daniel Andrés Nieva‐Posso
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism
article

Genomic Confluence: When Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis, Klinefelter Syndrome, and a BRCA2 Variant Intersect

Harry Pachajoa, Silvia Bonilla, Daniel Andrés Nieva‐Posso
article en

Abstract

Multilocus pathogenic variation-when multiple genetic disorders coexist in a single individual-remains rare but is increasingly recognized in the era of genomic medicine. Reporting such cases is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, refining clinical management, and informing genetic counseling. We describe a pediatric case with a complex phenotype resulting from the coexistence of two distinct genetic diagnoses-cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), a rare autosomal recessive lipid storage disorder caused by biallelic mutations in the <i>CYP27A1</i> gene and Klinefelter syndrome a common sex chromosome aneuploidy occurring in approximately 1 in 600 males, characterized by hypogonadism, gynecomastia, pubertal delay, infertility, micrognathia, and neurodevelopmental challenges-and an additional incidental finding with clinical relevance. The patient was born to consanguineous parents, presented with neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal dysfunction, endocrine abnormalities, and dysmorphic features. Trio-based exome sequencing identified a homozygous pathogenic variant in <i>CYP27A1</i> consistent with CTX, while conventional G-banded karyotyping revealed a 47,XXY chromosomal pattern, confirming Klinefelter syndrome. Additionally, a heterozygous pathogenic variant in <i>BRCA2</i> was incidentally detected, associated with hereditary cancer predisposition. The overlapping manifestations of CTX and Klinefelter syndrome produced a non-classical presentation that delayed diagnosis. Although the <i>BRCA2</i> variant did not contribute to the current phenotype, it has important implications for future cancer surveillance and family risk assessment. This case underscores the importance of combining classical cytogenetic and modern genomic methods to elucidate complex phenotypes, particularly in consanguineous populations, and highlights the need for the multidisciplinary management of patients with multilocus or incidental findings.

International Journal of Molecular SciencesVol. 26(21)
Fundación Valle del Lili (CO), Icesi University (CO), Universidad del Valle (CO)
Openalex Percentile: Top 51%
Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism
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