NLRP3 A439V Mutation in a Large Family with Cryopyrin-associated Periodic Syndrome: Description of Ophthalmologic Symptoms in Correlation with Other Organ Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) is a group of inherited autoinflammatory disorders caused by mutations in the NLRP3 gene resulting in the overproduction of interleukin 1β. NLRP3 mutations cause a broad clinical phenotype of CAPS. The aims of the study were to evaluate clinical, laboratory, and genetic features of a 5-generation family with CAPS focusing in detail on ocular symptoms.

METHODS: In a retrospective observational cohort study, consecutive family members were screened for the presence of the NLRP3 mutation. Patients underwent standardized clinical, laboratory, and ophthalmological assessments. The genotype-specific risk of ophthalmological findings and other organ symptoms was determined.

RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were clinically affected. The A439V mutation encoded by exon 3 of the NLRP3 gene was found in 15 of 37 family members (41%). The most common clinical features were musculoskeletal symptoms, headaches, and ophthalmological symptoms. The mutation-positive patients were characterized by more frequent skin rashes, ocular symptoms, arthralgia, arthritis, and severe Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS) Disease Activity Score. Rosacea was diagnosed in 8 patients.

CONCLUSION: The NLRP3 mutation A439V is associated with a heterogeneous clinical spectrum of familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome/MWS-overlap syndrome. Skin rash and eye diseases, such as conjunctivitis and uveitis, were positively correlated with this mutation.