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Gene Deficiency Linked to Increased Pneumonia Survival
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a germ that causes pneumonia, with a mortality that can reach up to 70 percent when infection spreads to other organs. Current, antibiotic treatment often fails due to development of antibiotic resistance, so there is an urgent need for new therapies. We have found a deficiency in a gene called Chit1, present in up to 20 percent of humans, gives mice a significant advantage during pneumonia. Absence of this gene helps mice limit bacterial spread to other organs and increase survival with or without antibiotic use. Understanding the mechanisms of the advantage provided by Chit1 deficiency will help to develop new therapies that can boost the host defense against bacterial infection to reduce mortality.
Source: American Lung Association