Hereditary Periodic Fever Syndromes — recurrent inflammation from genetic inflammasome dysregulation, where gene-specific IL-1 or TNF-targeted biologics transform the disease course once the correct diagnosis is made.
Whole genome sequencing evaluates MEFV, MVK, TNFRSF1A, NLRP3, NOD2, and all additional autoinflammatory genes — resolving the diagnostic uncertainty that leads to years of misdiagnosis as infection, autoimmune disease, or psychosomatic illness.
Hereditary Periodic Fever Syndromes
Hereditary periodic fever syndromes are a group of monogenic autoinflammatory disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of systemic inflammation — fever, serositis, rash, arthralgia, and elevated acute-phase reactants — without autoantibodies or infectious etiology. The major conditions include familial Mediterranean fever (FMF, MEFV), TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS, TNFRSF1A), hyper-IgD syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency (HIDS/MKD, MVK), and cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS — encompassing FCAS, Muckle-Wells syndrome, and NOMID/CINCA, all caused by NLRP3 variants).
These conditions share the clinical pattern of recurrent, self-limited episodes of systemic inflammation separated by symptom-free intervals — but each has distinct gene-specific features. FMF episodes last 1-3 days with serositis (peritonitis, pleuritis) and are prevented by colchicine. TRAPS episodes last 1-4 weeks with migratory rash and periorbital edema. HIDS episodes last 4-7 days with lymphadenopathy and aphthous ulcers. CAPS varies from cold-triggered urticaria (FCAS) to destructive arthropathy and sensorineural hearing loss (Muckle-Wells) to severe neonatal-onset multisystem inflammation (NOMID). The most feared long-term complication, shared across syndromes, is AA amyloidosis from chronically elevated serum amyloid A — which can cause nephrotic syndrome and renal failure.
Targeted biologic therapy has transformed outcomes. Colchicine remains first-line for FMF. IL-1 inhibitors (anakinra, canakinumab) are the treatment of choice for CAPS and colchicine-resistant FMF. TRAPS responds to IL-1 blockade and, in some cases, etanercept (TNF inhibition). HIDS/MKD responds to IL-1 inhibitors and appears to respond to statins (simvastatin) through an unknown mechanism. The specific gene diagnosis determines the targeted biologic, enables monitoring for gene-specific complications, and prevents the AA amyloidosis that develops from undertreated chronic inflammation.
AA amyloidosis — the most feared complication of all periodic fever syndromes — is preventable with adequate anti-inflammatory therapy. Molecular diagnosis enables early treatment that prevents this irreversible organ damage.
Recurrent fevers of unknown origin have a long differential diagnosis. Molecular testing for the autoinflammatory gene panel resolves diagnostic uncertainty and directly identifies the targeted biologic therapy.
Average diagnostic delay for periodic fever syndromes is 5-10 years — WGS ends the odyssey of misdiagnosis
Patients with periodic fever syndromes typically undergo years of repeated evaluations for infection, malignancy, and autoimmune disease before the autoinflammatory diagnosis is considered. During this diagnostic delay, chronic subclinical inflammation accumulates serum amyloid A, progressing toward AA amyloidosis. WGS evaluates all autoinflammatory genes simultaneously from a single sample, providing the specific gene diagnosis that identifies the targeted biologic and prevents long-term amyloid organ damage.
The specific gene determines which biologic to use — colchicine, IL-1 inhibitors, or TNF blockade are not interchangeable
FMF responds to colchicine in approximately 95% of patients — making it first-line therapy. CAPS requires IL-1 inhibition (anakinra or canakinumab) because colchicine is ineffective. TRAPS may respond to IL-1 blockade or etanercept, but infliximab (anti-TNF) worsens TRAPS. These gene-specific treatment responses mean that empirical biologic therapy without molecular diagnosis risks using the wrong drug. WGS identifies the causative gene, enabling immediate initiation of the correct targeted therapy.
Your full DNA (not just a part of it)
Traditional genetic testing looks at narrow sets of genes, missing most parts of your genome. We sequence your full genome — every gene and every region between genes.
Comprehensive insights and specialized reports
Easy to read and with answers you and your doctor can act on. Not a file to interpret — 200+ clinical reports, organized by category.
Your test becomes more valuable every year
Your DNA does not change, but genome science is accelerating. Every month, new variant-disease associations are discovered. We validate these findings and update your reports automatically. Your test becomes more valuable every year.
The results doctors bring to their hardest cases.
Forty years of uncertainty. One test.
A patient had spent decades in the UK healthcare system without a diagnosis. Dante data, accepted by NHS clinical teams at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow, identified Noonan Syndrome and a RUNX1 leukemia-associated variant that had gone undetected. After 40 years, they finally had an answer.
A complete read delivers a complete picture.
A patient came to Dante to investigate periodic paralysis. Reading the complete genome identified a concurrent hereditary cardiac finding — Brugada syndrome — that their doctor confirmed with an ECG. The result also explained a family member's unresolved cardiac history. One test. Every answer in it.
Sequenced in 2019. The data worked in 2021.
Jennifer sequenced her genome with Dante two years before her breast cancer diagnosis. When treatment began, Dante's pharmacogenomics data showed her prescribed chemotherapy would cause serious adverse effects. Her doctor selected an alternative — and she started effective treatment from day one.
Every genetic question deserves a complete answer.
Whether you are searching for answers today or protecting your health for tomorrow, a complete read of your entire genome is the only place to start.
It runs in your family. Now you can know if it runs in your genes.
Your genome contains inherited variants associated with medical conditions like cardiac, cancer, and neurological. We read all of them — with the clinical depth to give the result meaning.
Learn more →When traditional lab tests say you're fine. And you know you're not.
Standard diagnostic tests check for a pre-selected set of answers. We sequence your full DNA — including parts that no test was designed to check. If the answer is in your genome, we will help you find it.
Learn more →Your diagnosis may be right. Your treatment plan may be incomplete.
Your genes determine which treatments are most likely to work — and which are not. We give your doctor the tools and insights to inform your treatment plan.
Learn more →You want to know before something forces the question.
Some people don't wait for a diagnosis or a family history to act. Whole genome sequencing gives you the complete genetic picture now — so you and your doctor can make informed decisions before anything becomes urgent.
Learn more →You already took a DNA test. Here's what it couldn't tell you.
Most consumer DNA tests read less than 0.1% of your genome. We read all of it.
Learn more →Clinical-grade results. Chosen by individuals, trusted by doctors for their most complex cases.
Dante Genome Test helped specialists at a UK national acute hospital in the identification of Noonan Syndrome and a rare leukemia-associated genetic variant that had gone undetected. That result changed the medical care of the patient.
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Common questions about whole genome sequencing.
What is the difference between whole genome sequencing and a targeted genetic test?
Targeted genetic tests — including standard hereditary cancer panels — read a pre-defined list of known variants in a specific set of genes. They are designed to find what they already know to look for. Whole genome sequencing reads your entire genome: all 6 billion base pairs, every gene, every region between genes. A Mayo Clinic study published in JAMA Oncology found that standard testing guidelines missed more than half of patients with inherited cancer mutations. Genome Test does not have a fixed list.
What will I receive when my results are ready?
Your Dante Genome delivers 200+ physician-ready reports organized by clinical category — hereditary cancer, cardiac conditions, rare diseases, pharmacogenomics, carrier status, and more. Reports are delivered to your secure Genome Manager and are formatted for direct clinical use. Your genome data is permanently retained and re-analyzed automatically as science advances.
What happens if a clinically significant variant is found?
If a pathogenic or likely-pathogenic variant is identified, it will be clearly flagged in your physician-ready report with clinical context, published evidence, and recommended next steps. We recommend sharing any clinically significant finding with your physician or a genetic counselor, who can guide decisions about surveillance, risk reduction, or cascade testing for family members.
How is this different from a consumer DNA test like 23andMe or AncestryDNA?
Consumer DNA tests use genotyping chips that read less than 0.1% of your genome — a tiny pre-selected set of common variants. They are optimized for ancestry and population-level traits, not clinical genetic findings. The Dante Genome Test sequences 100% of your genome at 30X coverage, the same standard used in clinical diagnostic settings. The two tests are not comparable in scope, methodology, or clinical utility.
How long does it take to get results, and how are they delivered?
Your collection kit ships within 48 hours of ordering. Once your sample arrives at our CLIA-certified laboratory, sequencing and analysis takes 6–8 weeks. Results are delivered securely to your Genome Manager, where you can access your reports, share them with your physician, and receive automatic updates as new findings are validated against your genome.
We work with patient advocacy groups worldwide.
Dante Labs works with patient advocacy groups of any size — for Hereditary Periodic Fever Syndromes and other conditions, rare and common. We support groups in any country, including virtual patient advocacy groups.
We can provide customized reports, group discounts, and packages tailored for your members. Please reach out using the form and we'll be in touch within two business days.
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One test.
A lifetime of answers.
One kit, sent to your home. Your entire genome sequenced at the clinical standard used for diagnostic decisions. 200+ physician-ready reports delivered to your Genome Manager in 6–8 weeks — permanent and updated as science advances.
Ships within 48 hours · Results in 6–8 weeks
