Oculo-Cutaneous and syndromic albinisms: Epidemiology, clinical spectrum and diagnosis.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Oculo-Cutaneous Albinism and Ocular Albinism are worldwide autosomal and X-linked recessive disorders, respectively, resulting from mutations in at least 21 genes that affect melanin production or transport in the skin, hair and eyes. The purpose of this review is to assist clinicians in recognizing its main clinical manifestations. The review is structured into three main sections: general manifestations common to all albinism subtypes, the distinct features of non-syndromic subtypes (oculocutaneous albinism types 1-8), and the syndromic forms (Chediak-Higashi syndrome type 1 and Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome subtypes 1 through 11). However, given the significant clinical overlap among subtypes, and their differing prognoses, molecular diagnosis through next-generation sequencing technologies is essential for accurate subtype classification. To date, seven genes have been associated with non-syndromic forms (the gene responsible for type 5 remains unidentified), while twelve genes have been linked to Hermansky-Pudlak and Chediak-Higashi syndromes.

METHOD: Review of literature.

CONCLUSION

Due to this clinical overlap and the potential development of ophthalmological complications, risk of skin cancer, and other systemic manifestations in syndromic forms, early recognition by clinicians, multidisciplinary follow-up, and genetic counselling remain critical, along with patient education on photoprotection.