Genes Discovered Influence Risk of Developing Leprosy
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 25 Mar 2015 |
Image: Histopathology of tuberculoid leprosy in a skin section (Photo courtesy Dr. D.S. Ridley, Wellcome Images).
Leprosy, a chronic dermatological and neurological disease, is caused by infection with Mycobacterium leprae, and its manifestation, progression and prognosis are strongly associated with the proficiency of the patient's immune system.
The ability to predict the risk of contracting leprosy can help guide decisions made by public healthcare policymakers when drafting preventative measures for high-risk medical staff working in close contact with leprosy patients.
Scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (A*STAR, Singapore) conducted a three-stage genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of leprosy in the Chinese population. The genome-wide discovery analysis (stage 1) involved two independent data sets: a previously published GWAS data set of 706 leprosy cases, 1,225 healthy controls and 4,362 individuals with immune-related diseases as population controls from northern China of Chinese Han descent and a new unpublished data set of 842 leprosy cases and 925 controls from northern and southern China.
The second independent study was genotyped using Human 660K-Quad BeadChips (Illumina; San Diego, CA, USA). The scientists discovered six new susceptibility loci, and further gene prioritization analysis of these loci implicated Basic Leucine Zipper Transcription Factor, ATF-Like 3 (BATF3), Coiled-Coil Domain Containing 88B (CCDC88B) and Class II, major histocompatibility complex, transactivator-Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (CIITA-SOCS1) as new susceptibility genes for leprosy. They found the same genes linked to leprosy susceptibility also affect the level of aggression expressed by the immune system observed in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. A person with an overly-aggressive immune system may have a good defense against infection, but stands a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases where one's own white blood cells attack healthy cells that can lead to death in severe cases.
Jianjun Liu, PhD, a professor and lead author of the study, said, “Although commonly viewed as a medieval affliction, leprosy remains a major health problem in developing countries, claiming over 200,000 new patients worldwide annually with two to three million people permanently disabled. With the discovery of more gene variants that affect the risk of developing leprosy, we can develop better diagnostic, treatment and preventive strategies to one day eradicate leprosy permanently.” The study was published online on February 3, 2015, in the journal Nature Genetics.
Related Links:
Genome Institute of Singapore
Illumina
The ability to predict the risk of contracting leprosy can help guide decisions made by public healthcare policymakers when drafting preventative measures for high-risk medical staff working in close contact with leprosy patients.
Scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (A*STAR, Singapore) conducted a three-stage genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of leprosy in the Chinese population. The genome-wide discovery analysis (stage 1) involved two independent data sets: a previously published GWAS data set of 706 leprosy cases, 1,225 healthy controls and 4,362 individuals with immune-related diseases as population controls from northern China of Chinese Han descent and a new unpublished data set of 842 leprosy cases and 925 controls from northern and southern China.
The second independent study was genotyped using Human 660K-Quad BeadChips (Illumina; San Diego, CA, USA). The scientists discovered six new susceptibility loci, and further gene prioritization analysis of these loci implicated Basic Leucine Zipper Transcription Factor, ATF-Like 3 (BATF3), Coiled-Coil Domain Containing 88B (CCDC88B) and Class II, major histocompatibility complex, transactivator-Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (CIITA-SOCS1) as new susceptibility genes for leprosy. They found the same genes linked to leprosy susceptibility also affect the level of aggression expressed by the immune system observed in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. A person with an overly-aggressive immune system may have a good defense against infection, but stands a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases where one's own white blood cells attack healthy cells that can lead to death in severe cases.
Jianjun Liu, PhD, a professor and lead author of the study, said, “Although commonly viewed as a medieval affliction, leprosy remains a major health problem in developing countries, claiming over 200,000 new patients worldwide annually with two to three million people permanently disabled. With the discovery of more gene variants that affect the risk of developing leprosy, we can develop better diagnostic, treatment and preventive strategies to one day eradicate leprosy permanently.” The study was published online on February 3, 2015, in the journal Nature Genetics.
Related Links:
Genome Institute of Singapore
Illumina
Latest Microbiology News
- Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing
- Automated Sepsis Test System Enables Rapid Diagnosis for Patients with Severe Bloodstream Infections
- Enhanced Rapid Syndromic Molecular Diagnostic Solution Detects Broad Range of Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Decision Support Software a Game-Changer in Antimicrobial Resistance Battle
- New CE-Marked Hepatitis Assays to Help Diagnose Infections Earlier
- 1 Hour, Direct-From-Blood Multiplex PCR Test Identifies 95% of Sepsis-Causing Pathogens
- Mouth Bacteria Test Could Predict Colon Cancer Progression
- Unique Metabolic Signature Could Enable Sepsis Diagnosis within One Hour of Blood Collection
- Groundbreaking Diagnostic Platform Provides AST Results With Unprecedented Speed
- Simple Blood Test Combined With Personalized Risk Model Improves Sepsis Diagnosis
- Blood Analysis Predicts Sepsis and Organ Failure in Children
- TB Blood Test Could Detect Millions of Silent Spreaders
- New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours
- New Tuberculosis Test to Expand Testing Access in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
- Rapid Test Diagnoses Tropical Disease within Hours for Faster Antibiotics Treatment
- Rapid Molecular Testing Enables Faster, More Targeted Antibiotic Treatment for Pneumonia