Mutation leading to kidney disease in Cypriot families is traced back to one ancestor more than 300 years ago
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 17:35
in Health & Medicine
A study published Online First in The Lancet has identified a genetic mutation in the immune system which leads to chronic kidney disease in those affected. Furthermore, all the families affected so far are of Cypriot origin and the researchers believe this mutation represents a significant proportion of the kidney disease burden in Cyprus and in Cypriot families worldwide -- and that the mutation dates back to a single common ancestor at least 16 generations ago.