Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is characterized by partial oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), immunodeficiency, a mild bleeding tendency, and late adolescent- to adult-onset neurologic manifestations (e.g., learning difficulties, peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, and parkinsonism). While present in nearly all individuals with CHS, these clinical findings vary in severity. Of note, all individuals with CHS are at risk of developing neurologic manifestations and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Individuals with severe childhood-onset presentations are considered to have "classic" CHS, whereas individuals with milder adolescent- to adult-onset presentations are considered to have "atypical" CHS. Because of the considerable overlap between classic CHS and atypical CHS, the disorder is best understood as a continuum of severe to milder phenotypes, with the universal feature being the pathognomonic giant granules within leukocytes observed on peripheral blood smear.

Griscelli syndrome type 3 (GS3) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that results in a characteristic pigmentary dilution of the skin and hair, which shows a silvery-gray sheen associated with large clumps of pigment in hair shafts and an abnormal accumulation of end-stage melanosomes in the center of melanocytes. There are no immunologic or neurologic manifestations (summary by Menasche et al., 2003). For a discussion of phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity in Griscelli syndrome, see GS1 (214450).

Griscelli syndrome type 1 (GS1) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that results in pigmentary dilution of the skin and hair, the presence of large clumps of pigment in hair shafts, and an accumulation of melanosomes in melanocytes. In addition to the characteristic silvery-gray appearance of hair and pigmentary defects of skin, GS1 is characterized by primary neurologic deficits that usually are apparent in early infancy and include hypotonia, developmental delay, intellectual disability, and seizures. Immune impairment is not present (summary by Abd Elmaksoud et al., 2020). Bahadoran et al. (2003) characterized GS1 as comprising hypomelanosis and severe central nervous system dysfunction, corresponding to the 'dilute' phenotype in the mouse, and GS2 as comprising hypomelanosis and lymphohistiocytic hemophagocytosis, corresponding to the 'ashen' phenotype in mouse. Anikster et al. (2002), Menasche et al. (2002), Huizing et al. (2002), and Bahadoran et al. (2003, 2003) suggested that Elejalde neuroectodermal melanolysosomal syndrome (256710) in some patients and GS1 represent the same entity. Genetic Heterogeneity of Griscelli Syndrome Griscelli syndrome type 2 (GS2; 607624), characterized by hypomelanosis with immunologic impairment, is caused by mutation in the RAB27A gene (603868). Griscelli syndrome type 3 (GS3; 609227), characterized by hypomelanosis with no immunologic or neurologic manifestations, is caused by mutation in the melanophilin (MLPH; 606526) gene.

Elejalde neuroectodermal melanolysosomal syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by silvery-gray hair and severe dysfunction of the central nervous system, present from infancy or early childhood and consisting of severe hypotonia, seizures, and impaired intellectual development. Skin may be hypopigmented with bronzing after sun exposure. Microscopy of hair reveals large granules of melanin unevenly distributed in the hair shaft. Abnormal melanocytes and melanosomes and abnormal inclusion bodies in fibroblasts may be present (Elejalde et al., 1979; Duran-McKinster et al., 1999). It has been proposed that, in at least some cases, Elejalde neuroectodermal melanolysosomal syndrome and Griscelli syndrome type 1 (GS1; 214450) represent the same entity; see below. GS1 is caused by mutation in the MYO5A gene (160777).

Griscelli syndrome type 2 (GS2) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by pigmentary dilution of the skin and hair, the presence of large clumps of pigment in hair shafts, and an accumulation of melanosomes in melanocytes. Patients also have immunologic abnormalities with or without neurologic impairment (summary by Menasche et al., 2000). Some GS2 patients have been reported in whom central nervous system manifestations are the first presentation (Rajadhyax et al., 2007, Masri et al., 2008; Mishra et al., 2014; Lee et al., 2017). For a discussion of phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity of Griscelli syndrome, see Griscelli syndrome type 1 (GS1; 214450).

Oculocerebral hypopigmentation syndrome, Cross type is a rare congenital syndrome characterized by cutaneous and ocular hypopigmentation, various ocular anomalies (e.g. corneal and lens opacity, spastic ectropium, and/or nystagmus), growth deficiency, intellectual deficit and other progressive neurologic anomalies such as spastic tetraplegia, hyperreflexia, and/or athetoid movements. The clinical picture varies among patients and may also include other anomalies such as urinary tract abnormalities, Dandy-Walker malformations, and/or bilateral inguinal hernia.

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is characterized by oculocutaneous albinism, a bleeding diathesis, and, in some individuals, pulmonary fibrosis, granulomatous colitis, and/or immunodeficiency. Ocular findings include nystagmus, reduced iris pigment, reduced retinal pigment, foveal hypoplasia with significant reduction in visual acuity (usually in the range of 20/50 to 20/400), and strabismus in many individuals. Hair color ranges from white to brown; skin color ranges from white to olive and is usually at least a shade lighter than that of other family members. The bleeding diathesis can result in variable degrees of bruising, epistaxis, gingival bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage, colonic bleeding, and prolonged bleeding with menses or after tooth extraction, circumcision, and/or other surgeries. Pulmonary fibrosis, colitis, and/or neutropenia have been reported in individuals with pathogenic variants in some HPS-related genes. Pulmonary fibrosis, a restrictive lung disease, typically causes symptoms in the early 30s and can progress to death within a decade. Granulomatous colitis is severe in about 15% of affected individuals. Neutropenia and/or immune defects occur primarily in individuals with pathogenic variants in AP3B1 and AP3D1.