UK News - Genetic fungal infection risk identified

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Genetic fungal infection risk identified

LONDON (UPI) -- Two genetic mutations linked to the risk of fungal infections have been identified by a team of British and Dutch scientists.

The researchers from University College London and Radboud University said their findings will increase science's understanding if the genetic basis of fungal infections and potentially aid the development of new treatments.

The study identified mutations in the genes CARD9 and Dectin-1 as being linked with increased susceptibility to infections by fungi -- primarily of the genus Candida.

Professor Mihai Netea, who led the team from Radboud University, said: "Although the process of host response to fungal infection has previously been studied in mice, it is very interesting to see that it is the same in humans. The new results show that the mechanisms to protect against fungal infections have been largely conserved by evolution between mice and humans, which is not necessarily the case for other microbes."

Corresponding author Professor Bodo Grimbacher of University College London, said, "This discovery enables further insights in the interaction between fungi and the human immune system and may pave the way for future therapeutic options in patients suffering from Candida infections."

The study that also involved researchers from the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and Scotland's University of Aberdeen, appears in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 10/29/2009

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