GEFS plus is not related to the most common mutations of SCN1B, SCN1A and GABRG2 in two Tunisian families

The objective was to investigate whether the described mutations of the SCN1A, SCN1B and GABRG2 genes are associated to generalised epilepsy with febrile seizure plus (GEFS+) in two Tunisian families. We performed a genetic study of two multigenerational Tunisian families with GEFS+ spectrum. The molecular analysis included a PCR amplification of SCN1B, SCN1A and GAGRG2 exons, then a screening of the known SCN1B, SCN1A and GABRG2 gene mutations by direct sequencing. The data excluded the involvement of all known published mutations. However, an insertion of a T nucleotide at a heterozygous state within the intron 12 of the SCN1A gene has been identified in two probands and their parents. Our results corroborate the genetic heterogeneity of GEFS+ predominantly in epilepsy patients of different countries and ethnic groups.