Tuberculosis: galeotta a genetic mutation. In a European on 600, the risk of infection increases

(by Nicola Simonetti) Galeotta was the genetic mutation for 60% of Europeans who are unaware and innocent carriers and, if exposed to contact with the mycobacteria responsible for tuberculosis (TB), are likely to get 60-70 times more than their fellow citizens.

This was demonstrated by Laurent Abel, Stéphanie Boisson-Dupuis and Jean-Laurent Casanova of the Institut Imagine in a work published in "Science Immunology".

The work is a response to the question that, until now, did not find an answer to the question on why these "preferences" of the bacterium for some subjects.

The genetic track could represent the key to interpretation that opens the scenario to an immune deficiency

"Our hypothesis - say the authors in fact - is the genetic origin of most of the individual sensitivities to tuberculosis as evidenced by our discovery of the greater diffusion of the homozygous mutation (transmitted, that is, by both parents) of the TYK2 gene, implicated in the answer mycobacteria of tuberculosis that multiplies 6-7 times the risk".

The aforementioned gene is the basis for the production of interferon gamma, the body's defense wall against the TB bacterium. The unfortunate gene mutation subtracts "cement" from the wall and the bacterium has an easy life in those exposed to contact with the bacterium.

Sometimes (in a subject on 50.000), the mutation is so strong that it subtracts all the cement (total inactivation of the TYK2 gene) so that the wall turns into stones with no defense capability even against the normally inoffensive variety of mycobacteria.

A remedy overshadowed by the authors is the prevention by administration of gamma interferon, being the vaccine we have available, very little effective in these situations.

Tuberculosis: galeotta a genetic mutation. In a European on 600, the risk of infection increases