La sindrome di Chediak-Higashi a esordio tardivo

Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CHS1/LYST gene, encoding for LYST protein, involved in lysosomal trafficking. It is characterized by recurrent bacterial infections, oculocutaneous albinism, silver hair, haematological and neurological alterations and a possible evolution towards the socalled accelerated phase (haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis). It is classified in a classic form, with infantile onset, lethal if bone marrow transplantation is not promptly performed, and in an atypical form, with adolescent/adult onset, for which a more conservative approach may be possible. The paper describes a case of hypertrophic-hyperplastic gingivopathy associated with leuko-neutropenia. The evaluation of the bone marrow smear raised the suspicion of CHS and the analysis of the clinical history highlighted the presence of suggestive criteria for atypical CHS. The genetic investigation confirmed the diagnosis.