Outcomes of genetic testing for Usher syndrome in a diverse population cohort from South Florida

Abstract Background Usher syndrome (USH) is the leading genetic cause of congenital deaf blindness worldwide. USH is an autosomal recessive disorder clinically characterized by partial or complete congenital sensorineural hearing loss followed by progressive vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa....

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Main Authors: Zachary J. Cromar, Ryan Chen, Tamara Juvier Riesgo, Denise Yan, Lindsay Dawn Verma, Zhengyi Chen, Susan H. Blanton, Byron L. Lam, Xue Zhong Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Human Genomics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40246-025-00775-0
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author Zachary J. Cromar
Ryan Chen
Tamara Juvier Riesgo
Denise Yan
Lindsay Dawn Verma
Zhengyi Chen
Susan H. Blanton
Byron L. Lam
Xue Zhong Liu
author_facet Zachary J. Cromar
Ryan Chen
Tamara Juvier Riesgo
Denise Yan
Lindsay Dawn Verma
Zhengyi Chen
Susan H. Blanton
Byron L. Lam
Xue Zhong Liu
author_sort Zachary J. Cromar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Usher syndrome (USH) is the leading genetic cause of congenital deaf blindness worldwide. USH is an autosomal recessive disorder clinically characterized by partial or complete congenital sensorineural hearing loss followed by progressive vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa. There are three main subtypes (USH1, USH2, USH3) with different genetic causes categorized by age of symptom onset and severity. Understanding the genetic epidemiology of USH can help identify novel mutations and facilitate definitive diagnosis and treatment. This retrospective study characterizes the mutation spectrum of USH in an ethnically diverse South Florida population. Results Of the 148 patients assessed for this study, 67 were male and 81 were female. In this population, one identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, 6 identified as Asian (A), eight identified as Black or African American (AA), eight identified as More than One Race, 26 were identified as Unknown or Not Reported, and 99 were identified as white. In addition, 42 identified as Hispanic or Latino, 87 identified as Non-Hispanic or Latino, and 19 were identified as Unknown or Not Reported; all individuals identifying as Hispanic or Latino were either White or Unknown. One American Indian or Alaska Native patient, two Asian patients, two Black or African American Patients, and 15 white patients had inconclusive molecular testing results. In our population, White Non-Hispanics were more likely to receive a conclusive molecular diagnosis for their hearing loss. Conclusions This is the first genetic characterization of an ethnically diverse South Florida population with USH, which can help direct patient diagnosis and medical care. As clinical trials for treatment increases, molecular testing in all individuals is imperative.
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spelling doaj-art-284a9d0480ec4b64af1e9ecfaa534cfd2025-08-20T02:10:32ZengBMCHuman Genomics1479-73642025-06-011911710.1186/s40246-025-00775-0Outcomes of genetic testing for Usher syndrome in a diverse population cohort from South FloridaZachary J. Cromar0Ryan Chen1Tamara Juvier Riesgo2Denise Yan3Lindsay Dawn Verma4Zhengyi Chen5Susan H. Blanton6Byron L. Lam7Xue Zhong Liu8Department of Human Genetics, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineDepartment of Human Genetics, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineBascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineDepartment of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineDepartment of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineEaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical SchoolDepartment of Human Genetics, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineBascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineDepartment of Human Genetics, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineAbstract Background Usher syndrome (USH) is the leading genetic cause of congenital deaf blindness worldwide. USH is an autosomal recessive disorder clinically characterized by partial or complete congenital sensorineural hearing loss followed by progressive vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa. There are three main subtypes (USH1, USH2, USH3) with different genetic causes categorized by age of symptom onset and severity. Understanding the genetic epidemiology of USH can help identify novel mutations and facilitate definitive diagnosis and treatment. This retrospective study characterizes the mutation spectrum of USH in an ethnically diverse South Florida population. Results Of the 148 patients assessed for this study, 67 were male and 81 were female. In this population, one identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, 6 identified as Asian (A), eight identified as Black or African American (AA), eight identified as More than One Race, 26 were identified as Unknown or Not Reported, and 99 were identified as white. In addition, 42 identified as Hispanic or Latino, 87 identified as Non-Hispanic or Latino, and 19 were identified as Unknown or Not Reported; all individuals identifying as Hispanic or Latino were either White or Unknown. One American Indian or Alaska Native patient, two Asian patients, two Black or African American Patients, and 15 white patients had inconclusive molecular testing results. In our population, White Non-Hispanics were more likely to receive a conclusive molecular diagnosis for their hearing loss. Conclusions This is the first genetic characterization of an ethnically diverse South Florida population with USH, which can help direct patient diagnosis and medical care. As clinical trials for treatment increases, molecular testing in all individuals is imperative.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40246-025-00775-0Usher syndromeDeafnessBlindnessMinoritiesRetinitis pigmentosa
spellingShingle Zachary J. Cromar
Ryan Chen
Tamara Juvier Riesgo
Denise Yan
Lindsay Dawn Verma
Zhengyi Chen
Susan H. Blanton
Byron L. Lam
Xue Zhong Liu
Outcomes of genetic testing for Usher syndrome in a diverse population cohort from South Florida
Human Genomics
Usher syndrome
Deafness
Blindness
Minorities
Retinitis pigmentosa
title Outcomes of genetic testing for Usher syndrome in a diverse population cohort from South Florida
title_full Outcomes of genetic testing for Usher syndrome in a diverse population cohort from South Florida
title_fullStr Outcomes of genetic testing for Usher syndrome in a diverse population cohort from South Florida
title_full_unstemmed Outcomes of genetic testing for Usher syndrome in a diverse population cohort from South Florida
title_short Outcomes of genetic testing for Usher syndrome in a diverse population cohort from South Florida
title_sort outcomes of genetic testing for usher syndrome in a diverse population cohort from south florida
topic Usher syndrome
Deafness
Blindness
Minorities
Retinitis pigmentosa
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40246-025-00775-0
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