Genetic background to severe UTIs
Ugh! Nothing worse than a urinary tract infection (UTIs). Painful and embarrasing with all those visits to the bathroom.
Some people get them time and time again, often starting in childhood. They can get so severe that it results in pelvic and kidney damage and at the very worst, life-long renal dialysis. Doctors having been looking for some means of identifying kids at risk of going on to develop severe symptoms compared to those kids where the diagnosis is really a simple UTI. This would have the effect of reducing the need for intrusive and painful testing in kids.
Researchers at Lund University in Sweden believe they have found this risk marker gene. The gene in question produces a protein that is involved in the immune defense system. It regulates the migration of white blood corpuscles to the kidneys and their work with neutralizing infectious bacteria. The gene has already been shown to protect in recurrent renal pelvic infections.
Penny Harrington
b5 media Genetics and Health correspondent
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POSTED IN: Genealogy and DNA, General Genetics and Health, Genetic Engineering, Genetic Future, Genetic Testing
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