Ermira Dervishi

Background: Direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) have transformed the management of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, including in children. However, real‐world data from resource‐limited settings remain scarce. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of children with chronic HCV infection treated at the national pediatric hepatology center in Tirana, Albania, between 2007 and 2024. Patients were grouped according to treatment era: interferon‐based therapy or DAA regimens. Sustained virologic response (SVR), adverse events, and treatment duration were assessed. Results: Twenty‐nine children were included (17 interferon era; 12 DAA era). SVR was achieved in 83% of patients receiving interferon‐based therapy and in all patients treated with DAAs. Adverse events were more frequent and clinically significant in the interferon group, whereas only mild events were observed in the DAA group. Treatment duration was substantially shorter with DAAs (8–12 weeks vs. 48 weeks). Conclusions: This real‐world experience reflects the transition toward shorter, better‐tolerated, and highly effective therapies for pediatric HCV infection. While cross‐era comparisons are limited, the findings are consistent with the established efficacy of DAA regimens.

Background/Objectives: Gaucher disease type 1 is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the GBA1 gene. Although enzyme replacement therapy has improved patient outcomes, there is limited long-term real-world data on taliglucerase alfa. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of taliglucerase alfa in both treatment-naïve and previously treated patients with Gaucher disease type 1 over a 10-year period. Methods: This prospective, single-centre cohort study involved 29 patients (13 treatment-naïve and 16 previously treated with imiglucerase) who received taliglucerase alfa from 2015 to 2024. Clinical, hematological, visceral, skeletal, and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and at 12, 60, and 120 months. Biomarkers included chitotriosidase and glucosylsphingosine. Safety was evaluated through adverse event reporting and anti-drug antibody testing. Results: Hemoglobin and platelet counts improved or remained stable in all patients. By 60 months, liver volume had normalised in treatment-naïve patients (mean reduction: 23.1%), while spleen volume had decreased by up to 47.3%. Lyso-Gb1 levels decreased by 86.1% in patients who had not previously received treatment and by 59.5% overall, with a strong correlation to adherence. Bone mineral density improved in most cases. 137 adverse events were reported, 24% of which were mild infusion-related reactions. Anti-drug antibody developed in two patients, including one with a reduced therapeutic response. Conclusions: Taliglucerase alfa offers sustained long-term clinical, hematological and biochemical benefits in both treatment-naïve and previously treated Gaucher disease type 1 patients, with a favorable safety profile. Glucosylsphingosine proved to be a highly sensitive biomarker for monitoring therapeutic efficacy and detecting treatment response.

Background Rare diseases affect over 300 million people worldwide, with more than half of these cases presenting in childhood. Despite advances in genomic technologies, significant diagnostic delays remain, particularly in underrepresented populations. Although whole-genome sequencing is expected to be more effective than whole-exome sequencing, there are currently no direct patient-level comparisons from Albania. Methods We conducted a prospective, head-to-head comparison of whole-genome sequencing and whole-exome sequencing in 72 pediatric patients from Albania with suspected rare genetic disorders. Both technologies were applied in parallel using ISO-accredited pipelines. Variants were classified according to the ACMG guidelines and assessed for clinical relevance. Primary and secondary findings, as well as dual diagnoses, were recorded and compared. Results A molecular diagnosis was achieved in 72.2% of patients. Whole genome sequencing yielded diagnostic or secondary findings in 68.1% of cases, while whole exome sequencing identified primary diagnoses in 30.6% of cases. WGS made a primary diagnosis in 37.5% of cases, resolving complex or blended phenotypes and detecting variant types that were missed by WES, including deep intronic, regulatory and structural variants. Furthermore, WGS identified medically actionable secondary findings in 15.3% of patients, providing direct information for clinical management. Overall, WGS outperformed WES across variant classes and inheritance modes. Conclusion WGS demonstrated clear diagnostic superiority over WES in this pediatric cohort, particularly in identifying complex phenotypes and structural variants. These results suggest that WGS should be considered a primary diagnostic tool and highlight the importance of ensuring equitable access to genomic technologies for underrepresented populations.

Background: Fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase (FBPase) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of gluconeogenesis caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the FBP1 gene. It presents with episodic hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, and ketone body abnormalities, particularly during catabolic stress, but often mimics more common metabolic disorders, leading to diagnostic delays. Case Presentation: We describe the first genetically confirmed Albanian case of FBPase deficiency in a 3‐year‐old girl, born to nonsanguineous parents. The patient presented with recurrent episodes of vomiting, hypoglycemia, and metabolic decompensation since infancy. At her most severe presentation, she was admitted in a subcomatose state with profound hypoglycemia (35 mg/dL) and lactic acidosis (pH 6.9) without ketonuria. Whole exome sequencing identified a homozygous pathogenic FBP1 variant NM_000507.3(FBP1): c.472C > T; p. (Arg158Trp), a recurrent missense mutation associated with significant phenotypic variability. Parental testing confirmed autosomal recessive inheritance. Management and Outcome: Emergency management included intravenous dextrose and bicarbonate for metabolic acidosis, followed by nutritional interventions. The patient was advised to avoid fasting for more than 8 h and to limit fructose intake. No further metabolic crises were observed after these interventions. Conclusion: This case highlights the clinical and genetic complexity of FBPase deficiency and underlines the importance of genomic diagnostics in children with unexplained hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis. Early diagnosis allows effective dietary management and prevents recurrent life‐threatening episodes. As the first reported case in Albania, it contributes to the growing recognition of FBPase deficiency as an underdiagnosed but treatable metabolic disorder.

Background. Duodenal atresia or stenosis are different degrees of the same abnormality. They usually occur at the level of the ampulla of Vater and are thought to be an embryologic defect during the development of the foregut, leading to abnormal recanalization. Complete duodenal atresia is usually symptomatic in the early neonatal period, while partial obstruction (web, stenosis) may have a late presentation and a more challenging diagnosis such as in our case. Case Presentation. The patient, a 16-year-old girl, presented with abdominal pain, recurrent vomiting, and growth failure. An upper GI study with barium showed an image compatible with gastroptosis. Further diagnostic procedures confirmed a rare finding such as congenital duodenal stenosis. She underwent surgical intervention, and the recovery period was uneventful. Conclusion. Gastroptosis is not diagnostic for a particular disease. This rare radiological finding in children may obscure uncommon diagnosis, such as congenital duodenal stenosis, which can present a diagnostic challenge beyond early childhood.

Gaucher disease is a rare, genetic lysosomal disorder leading to lipid accumulation and dysfunctions in multiple organs. Bone involvement is one of the most prevalent aspects of Gaucher disease. Pain, disability, and reduced quality of life remain the most frequent characteristics of bone involvement in Gaucher patients. Patients and Method. In this study, we will take into consideration data from 24 patients diagnosed with type 1 Gaucher disease. We followed them closely for six years in progress. At baseline, all patients started therapy with taliglucerase alfa at a mean dosage of 45 UI/kg; later, during the study, two of them switched their cure toward velaglucerase alfa. Before baseline evaluations, 12 patients had been treated with imiglucerase at variable duration times. At baseline, we performed an X-ray of long bones and the spine, and each year, different standard assessments were performed, such as bone pain, MRI of the vertebral spine and pelvis, and DEXA for bone density. Four patients left the study for various reasons, two of them at baseline and two others during year 3 (FU3). Results. At baseline, we had 8 children and 16 adults. The average age was 28.7 ± 16.5 SD years. The most frequent skeletal manifestations in our patients were reduction of tibial femoral space (40%), osteonecrosis (36%), and body vertebral reduction (32%). At baseline, 15 patients presented with bone pain to different degrees. Over the years, bone pain in our patients had a gradual improvement. The most dramatic bone pain improvement was seen in a patient who presented bone crises. Another impressive finding was a significant BMD improvement during six years of treatment. Our study showed a significant improvement in BMD comparing FU5 and baseline values ( = 0.0007). Especially children demonstrated a significant improvement in BMD ( = 0.00061) compared to adults ( = 0.3673). Mean BMD change was more indicative in switched patients ( = 0.0142) compared to naïve patients ( = 0.147). Conclusions. Skeletal manifestations are very different in Gaucher type 1 patients. In our study, as a result of long-term evaluations, it was noticed that the most frequent skeletal manifestation was a reduction of tibiofemoral space. Bone pain has gradually improved in all patients. Also, BMD values have been enhanced over six years of treatment, especially in children.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a very complex neurodevelopmental disorder whose symptomatology has been reported in several different genetic syndromes, one of which is Sotos syndrome. This syndrome is a congenital disorder, inherited autosomal dominant, being caused by a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the NSD1 gene or a deletion of this gene, which are present in more than 90% of individuals with this clinical diagnosis. We describe the case of a 13-year-old patient diagnosed with autism and Sotos syndrome. Objective. The description of this patient is intended to emphasize the importance of being aware in case of the co-association of ASD with one of the genetic syndromes, in the presence of clinical features not typical for both of them, in order to avoid delays in diagnosis. Conclusions. The late diagnosis of ASD and Sotos syndrome in our patient also leads us to the conclusion that, in cases of speech and communication delays in children, it is necessary to carry out a careful examination and a detailed assessment of the child’s development, including experts such as pediatricians development, child psychiatrists, geneticists, speech therapists etc. This will help to establish an early diagnosis, which is important for the development of follow-up, coordination of multidisciplinary care, treatment and prognosis.