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A dispermic chimerism in a 2-year-old Caucasian boy

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Abstract

 Detection of two different cell populations in a child is a rare event. The following case of a dispermic chimera was diagnosed before surgery due to problems in blood group determination. A 2-year-old phenotypically male child was admitted for correction of a penoscrotal hypospadia and unilateral cryptorchism. During presurgical laboratory investigation, difficulties in blood group determination occurred. Blood group typing was performed by the DiaMed-ID Micro Typing System and by FACS. Additionally, cytogenetic analysis of lymphocytes and analysis of DNA polymorphisms in different tissues were performed. Two populations of red blood cells were detected, 0 cells accounting for 75% and B cells for 25%. Analysis of DNA-PCR polymorphisms in lymphocytes, nails, and in cells of the oral mucous membrane demonstrated a chimerism, with two alleles inherited from the father and one from the mother. A cytogenetic analysis of cultured lymphocytes showed a mosaic 46,XY/46,XX. Surgery revealed a prostatic utricle grade III, also called pseudovagina; genitography confirmed a vagina. Bilateral gonad biopsy showed a testis on one side and an ovary on the other. This case of chimerism represents a true hermaphroditism that most probably developed by double fertilization of one or more egg nuclei by two sperms.

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Received: September 4, 1998 / Accepted: March 30, 1999

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Repas-Humpe, L., Humpe, A., Lynen, R. et al. A dispermic chimerism in a 2-year-old Caucasian boy. Ann Hematol 78, 431–434 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002770050543

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002770050543

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