Mitochondrial Disease Genetic Tests

OVERVIEW

Hereditary mitochondrial diseases are a group of conditions that affect the mitochondria (structures in each cell responsible for making energy). Mitochondrial disorders are present at any age affecting different body systems, including brain, muscles, heart, liver, nerves, eyes, ears and kidneys with varied severity. Symptoms include developmental delay, weak muscles, diabetes, heart, liver, and/or kidney disease. They are caused by pathogenic variants in the mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA that lead to dysfunction of the mitochondria and inadequate energy production. Conditions can involve mitochondrial respiratory chain and thus of oxidative phosphorylation and, in addition, by conditions of other biochemical mechanisms, such as beta-oxidation, mitochondrial fusion and division, and many others. Early identification of individuals at risk can help establish the right clinical management plan.

We offer comprehensive and syndrome-specific panels testing for mitochondrial diseases. The test can offer a molecular genetic diagnosis of a mitochondrial disorder that is observed or predicted in you/your child or a family member.

IMPORTANCE OF GETTING TESTED

If you or a family member has a risk of a mitochondrial disease, identifying the cause can help to take actions to improve the outcome of the disorder. Additionally, family members can be informed and encouraged to also get tested. Our genetic counsellors can provide medical advice.

You have a family history
of mitochondrial diseases

You/your child has a clinical diagnosis
and want to confirm

You/your child has symptoms
that affect multiple, unrelated
systems of the body

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF THE TEST

A molecular genetic diagnostic report outlining the results of the sequencing analysis is provided. Changes in DNA sequences (variants) can be detrimental and lead to the development of a cardiac or aortic disorder, including asymptomatic disorders that develop later in life. We will report pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants as well as variants of unknown significance.

Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants mean the genetic cause of the observed symptoms has been identified and may help determine the right treatment and management plan.

Variants of unknown significance means there was not enough evidence to classify the variant as either pathogenic or neutral. Annual variant reclassification and testing family members is recommended.

It is important to note that a negative result does not guarantee the absence of a disorder or that the disorder does not have a genetic cause. Genetic testing is an evolving field and may not detect all variants or there may not currently be enough evidence to classify all variants that lead to an inherited disease.

MEDICAL GENETIC COUNSELLING

We provide expert medical genetic counselling as part of a genetic testing journey. Genetic counselling is a process of communication that supports patients and their relatives before and after genetic testing. It is educational, impartial and nondirective. Prior to any genetic test, genetic counsellors will obtain a detailed family history, explain the method of testing that will be used, its risks and benefits, the limitations of the diagnosis and the implications of making a genetic diagnosis (Elliott and Friedman, 2018, Nat Rev Genet 19:735).

Upon receiving the genetic test results, genetic counselling can help the specialist physician and the patient to interpret them. They can be advised of the consequences of the results including the probability of developing the genetic disorder or passing it on to children, as well as ways to prevent, avoid or reduce these risks (Yang and Kim, 2018, Ann Lab Med 38:291). Our goal of counselling is to provide the patient with greater knowledge and thus, a better understanding of the results and the ability to make a more informed decision.

ORDER FORM

Download here

ACCEPTED MATERIAL

1 ml EDTA Blood
Please note: DO NOT FREEZE. Ship with a frozen ice pack. Prepare the package such that the tube is tightly packed and not loose. Avoid getting the blood tube wet from the ice pack. Place a paper towel in between ice pack and blood tube if necessary. In sub-zero temperatures, include an unfrozen ice pack in the shipping container as insulation.

TURNAROUND TIME

15-25 working days

TECHNOLOGY

DNA is isolated and next generation sequencing is performed on all coding exons and conserved intronic regions. Single base pair changes, small deletions and duplications and copy number variants (CNV) are identified. Sequencing runs result in a Quality Score of >30 (accuracy >99.9%) in at least 75% of all bases with a coverage of >20-fold. CNV detection sensitivity is 76.99% and precision is 62.59% (with GC limitation between 0.4 and 0.6 per target sensitivity is 77.04% and precision is 84.10%). Variant classification is performed following ACMG guidelines (Richards et al. 2015, Genet Med 17:405; Kearney et al. 2011, Genet Med 13:680).

Test Methodology

Sequencing

Next generation
sequencing (Illumina)

Enrichment

Twist Human Core
Exome plus Ref Seq
Spikeln

SNV and CNV data anlaysis

Illumina DRAGEN
Bio-IT Platform

Data Evaluation

VarSeq by
GoldenHelix

Reference Genome

hg38, NCBI GR38

Quality Criteria