The fight against intra-abdominal infections contracted in public places: identifying the associated gene

Researchers at the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) have identified a gene in chromosome 5 that is associated with a higher risk of survival from sepsis caused by pneumonia or intra-abdominal infection contracted in public places. Dr. Jordi Rello, head of the group Clinical Research and Innovation in Pneumonia and Sepsis (CRIPS) at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), has led Spain’s participation in this study, recently published in The Lancet. The objective of the researchers was to determine whether genetic factors contribute to the progress of the disease. With this in mind, the reserachers conducted the first genome-wide association study carried out to date in pneumonia patients who had been hospitalised in intensive care units (ICUs). In all, the researchers analysed over 6 million genes from more than 1,500 patients, of which 23% died during their stay at the ICU. From the results obtained, the team identified this gene (called FER) in chromosome 5, and which is present in more than 20% of Europe’s population. These people’s genetic make-up means that they have greater protection from the disease, and respond better to current treatments. Thanks to this discovery, Dr. Rello claims that “we could develop biomarkers to stratify the risk of the disease, as well as designing therapeutic targets to improve treatment and prevent complications”.

Cycle: Stars of research to help build the future - 1

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