Certain Genes Could Indicate Infection Resistance, Suggests Study

Scientists from Duke University conducted a study to see how individuals’ DNA might impact their probability of contracting a common bacterial infection from E. coli bacteria.

The researchers administered the bacterium to 30 volunteers, according to the study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. E. coli can cause diarrhea, but six participants displayed no symptoms, while another six succumbed to the infection over a period of eight days.

Next, the team took blood samples from all participants to identify certain forms of gene expression. A comparison was done between patients with severe symptoms to patients with minimal symptoms. The analysis showed there were substantial alterations in 29 genes related to immune function.

These specific genes may have been activated with the bacterium’s presence, but it was unclear if that was the reason for the strong immune response or if it was due to mutations in the genes of patients with few symptoms, reports Popular Science.

Still, the scientists believe this could improve predictions for which patients may have a strong reaction to E. coli bacteria.

You can read the rest of the research published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.