We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Genes Identified That Increase Children's Risk Of Blood Infection

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 Jun 2016
Print article
Image: The MassARRAY system for iPlex single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping (Photo courtesy of Sequenom).
Image: The MassARRAY system for iPlex single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping (Photo courtesy of Sequenom).
Bacteremia is a bacterial infection of the bloodstream, and a major cause of illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa but little is known about whether human genetics play a part.

The leading bacterial cause of death in young children worldwide is Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus and 14.5 million episodes of serious pneumococcal disease occur in young children annually. Genes have been identified that make certain children more susceptible to invasive bacterial infections.

A global network of scientists coordinated from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics (Oxford, UK), carried out a genome-wide association study to identify which genes might be associated with an increased likelihood of developing bacteremia. The study looked at DNA samples from more than 4,500 Kenyan children from the Kilifi area where there is a high occurrence of bacteremia. Just over 4,000 children were healthy, while slightly more than 500 had pneumococcal bacteremia.

Genomic DNA was extracted using the QIAamp DNA blood mini kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) and whole-genome amplified samples from case and control subjects were genotyped on the genome-wide Affymetrix SNP 6.0 chip (Affymetrix Inc, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the additive or the genotypic model were directly genotyped in the discovery set to confirm imputation accuracy and in the replication sample set to confirm the associations using two iPLEX assays (Sequenom, San Diego, CA, USA). To quantify levels of long intergenic non-coding ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression, the teams performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using a relative quantification method.

The study found an area of two long intergenic noncoding RNA (lincRNA) genes that was associated with susceptibility to pneumococcal bacteremia. LincRNAs are RNA transcripts that are longer than 200 nucleotides but are not translated into proteins. LincRNAs are still little understood, although it is believed that the human genome has more than 10,000 of them.

Anna Rautanen, PhD, a senior author of the study, said, “'One of the associated lincRNA genes, called AC011288.2, is expressed only in neutrophils, cells that are known to have a key role in clearing pneumococcal disease. Critically, the genetic variants we have identified carry a doubled risk of developing bacteremia when infected with the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. This discovery therefore provides clues in the pressing search for new ways to target the disease.” The study was published on June 2, 2016, in the American Journal of Human Genetics.

Related Links:
Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics
QIAGEN
Affymetrix
Sequenom
Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Specimen Collection & Transport
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.