Apparently changing patterns of inheritance in Alport's hereditary nephritis: Genetic heterogeneity versus altered diagnostic criteria

Abstract

With the use of more stringent diagnostic criteria, it was recently shown that some large pedigrees of Alport''s and non-Alport''s hereditary nephritis fit sex-linked dominant inheritance (O''Neill et al., 1978). Similar diagnostic criteria were used and a number of Michigan [USA] pedigrees were studied to test the sex-linked dominant hypothesis. A small pedigree which definitely shows male-to-male transmission and a large pedigree tentatively compatible with sex-linked dominant inheritance were found among the pedigrees studied. Many of the other pedigrees suggested male-to-male transmission. This Michigan experience is consistent with other published reports, although a trend of fewer reports of male-to-male transmission is seen. Genetic heterogeneity of Alport''s hereditary nephritis seems likely.