London (Reuters) – A genetic discovery could help
to explain why flu seriously ill to some
people, or even provoked the death, while others
seem to bear it with just some body pain, cough and
sneezing.
In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers
British and Americans said they found for the first
time a human gene that influences how people respond to
influenza infections, and that makes some more susceptible
that other.
The finding helps explain why during the pandemic of the
the “swine flu” virus of 2009-2010 the vast majority of
people infected only developed mild symptoms, while
than others – many of them young people healthy – ill
severely and died.
In the future, genetic discovery could help to the
medical to assess patients to identify those
more likely to be seriously affected by the flu, what
it would give priority for vaccination or treatment
preventive during outbreaks, stated the experts.
It would also help develop new vaccines or medicines
against potentially dangerous viruses, such as the of the
avian influenza.
Paul Kellam, of the British Institute Sanger, who co-directed
the study and presented the results at a Conference
telephone, said the gene, called ITFITM3, appears to be “a
“”
first line of key defence” against flu.
When the IFITM3 was present in large quantities, the
expansion of the virus in the lungs is complicated, explained the
researcher. But when IFITM3 levels were lower, the
viruses could replicate and expand more easily, what
caused more severe symptoms.
Individuals carrying a particular variation of the
IFTIM3 were much more likely to enter the hospital when
they contracted influenza than those carriers of other variants,
added.
“our research is important for the people who
“
submitted this variation because we predict that their defenses
immunological might be weakened before certain infections
“
viral”, said Kellam.
“Finally, a measure which we learn more about genetics
“
susceptibility to the virus, then people can
take informed precautionary measures, such as vaccination for
“
prevent infections”, stated.
Potential antiviral IFITM3 human role was
suggested for the first time in studies by Abraham
Brass of the Ragon Institute and the Gastrointestinal unit of the
Of Massachusetts General hospital in United States.
“our efforts suggest that individuals and the
“
populations with lower activity of the IFITM3 would be greater
risk during a pandemic, and that the IFITM3 could be vital
to defend populations against other viruses, such as
“
avian influenza”, said Brass.
