Mutation leads to new and severe form of bacterial disease

Thursday, December 31, 2009 - 16:35 in Health & Medicine

Fighting an illness is not just about fighting the bacteria or viruses that cause it, it also has to do with your genes. Scientists have now identified a gene mutation that makes children susceptible to a severe form of mycobacterial disease, any disease caused by species of Mycobacterium such as tuberculosis and leprosy. The mutation represents a new layer of disease severity in children who lack a vital disease-fighting component from their immune system.

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