First report of PURA syndrome in a Colombian patient with de novo missense variant c.692T>C (p.Phe231Ser)

Abstract

We present the first documented case of PURA syndrome in Colombia. This rare neurological disease results from mutations in the PURA gene located on chromosome 5, leading to haploinsufficiency of the PUR-α protein. This protein is essential for early brain development and neuronal function. The patient, a seven-years-old boy, started showing dystonic hand movements at 14 days of age; at six, he had neurodevelopmental delay, generalized hypotonia, frequent episodes of apnea, and swallowing difficulties. Although other conditions were initially considered, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, a whole exome sequencing revealed the pathogenic variant c.692T>C (p.Phe231Ser) in the exon 1 of the PURA gene, not previously reported in other patients. With this finding, we adopted a comprehensive management approach addressing the patient’s characteristics and alterations. Since the PURA syndrome is not on the list of orphan/rare diseases recognized by the Colombian Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social, we hope our report will contribute to its official recognition. The case shows the importance of considering rare diagnoses in patients with uncommon neurological symptoms, underlining the usefulness of genomic sequencing in diagnosis and the need for collaboration to optimize healthcare for patients with PURA syndrome and similar diseases.