Genetic analysis of 20 families with autosomal dominant adult polycystic kidney disease from South West Thames Region.

Twenty families with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease from S. W. Thames Region were analysed using markers for chromosome 16p13.3, the site of the common mutation (PKD1). Six families gave a negative lod-score for 3'HVR, the most informative distal marker. This could be explained in four cases by recombination events. Of the two families where this was not an explanation, one, of Italian origin, was unequivocally unlinked for all markers, and the other was more likely to be non-PKD1 than linked to 16p13.3. The Italian family was ascertained through the Blood Pressure Unit, and the other via the Genetic Clinic. No members of either family had ever attended a renal clinic. The remaining 18 families either came via renal clinics, or had at least one member attending such a centre.