Connect Sign In
FeedbackMassively Parallel Sequencing
If a familial sequence variant has been previously identified, targeted sequencing for that variant may be appropriate; refer to the Laboratory Test Directory for additional information.
Wilson disease (WD) is a rare inherited genetic disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the ATP7B gene, resulting in excessive amounts of copper accumulating in the body, particularly in the liver, brain, and eyes. Signs and symptoms most often appear during the teens but may appear as early as age 6 or as late as the mid-40s. Liver disease is typically the initial feature of Wilson disease in affected children and young adults. Nervous system or psychiatric problems are often the initial features in individuals diagnosed in adulthood, and commonly occur in young adults. For additional details on diagnostic testing for WD, refer to the ARUP Consult Wilson Disease topic and the Wilson Disease Testing Algorithm.
Disease Overview
Symptoms
- Neurologic: clumsiness, tremors, difficulty walking, speech problems
- Psychiatric: impaired thinking, depression, anxiety, mood swings
- Other: Kayser-Fleischer ring, abnormalities in eye movement
Diagnostic Issues
- Affected individuals occasionally have normal biochemical test results
- Up to 20% of WD carriers have equivocal biochemical findings
Genetics
Gene
ATP7B
Inheritance
Autosomal recessive
Penetrance
Age dependent, may be reduced
Test Interpretation
Clinical Sensitivity
Analytic Sensitivity
For massively parallel sequencing:
| Variant Class | Analytic Sensitivity (PPA) Estimatea (%) | Analytic Sensitivity (PPA) 95% Credibility Regiona (%) |
|---|---|---|
| SNVs | >99 | 96.9-99.4 |
| Deletions 1-10 bp | 93.8 | 84.3-98.2 |
| Deletions 11-44 bp | >99 | 87.8-100 |
| Insertions 1-10 bp | 94.8 | 86.8-98.5 |
| Insertions 11-23 bp | >99 | 62.1-100 |
aGene included on this test is a subset of a larger methods-based validation from which the PPA values are derived. bp, base pairs; PPA, positive percent agreement; SNVs, single nucleotide variants | ||
Results
| Results as Reported in Patient Chart | Variant(s) Detected | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Two pathogenic ATP7B gene variants detected on opposite chromosomes | Consistent with a diagnosis of WD |
| Negative | No pathogenic ATP7B variants detected | Significantly reduces the likelihood of being affected with or a carrier of WD |
| See note | One pathogenic ATP7B gene variant detected | Individual is at least a carrier of WD and may be affected with WD if an undetected variant is present on the opposite chromosome |
| Variants of uncertain clinical significance may be identified | Uncertain |
Limitations
- Diagnostic errors can occur due to rare sequence variations
- Not determined or evaluated:
- Regulatory region variants, including the Sardinian founder variant, c.-436_-422del15
- Deep intronic variants
- Large deletions/duplications
- Variants in genes other than ATP7B
References
-
Patients with Wilson disease without detectable ATP7B mutations
Stättermayer A, Zoller HM, Weiss KH, et al. Patients with Wilson disease without detectable ATP7B mutations. Abstract 464. Boston, MA: 65th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. 2014.
Preferred test for genetic confirmation of Wilson disease or determination of carrier status