Confirmation of linkage of Clouston syndrome (hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia) to 13q11-q12.1 with evidence for multiple independent mutations.

Clouston syndrome (hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the triad of nail dystrophy, alopecia, and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis. Recently, linkage of a Clouston syndrome locus to chromosome 13q11-q12.1 was reported in eight families of French-Canadian descent. We have confirmed linkage to this region in four additional families: two of French-Canadian descent, one of Scottish-Irish descent, and one French family. Multipoint linkage analysis gave a lod score of 5.09 at marker D13S175. The two families of French-Canadian descent share haplotypes with those reported by Kibar et al (1996), indicating a common founder. The French and Scottish-Irish families do not demonstrate the common haplotype, indicating that the mutations in these populations are most likely of different origin.