Genetic Mutation Increases Risk of Developing Active TB, Study Says

A specific genetic mutation increases the risk of developing active tuberculosis, a finding that could lead to new therapies and vaccines for the disease, according to a study in the Dec. 19 issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine, the Tyler Morning Telegraph reports. Only 10% of people worldwide who carry TB bacteria develop active TB annually. To determine why, Pedro Flores-Villaneuva, assistant professor of immunology at the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, and colleagues looked at protein levels in a particular gene among white U.S. residents, Mexicans and Koreans. To isolate the genetic component of active TB infection, the researchers controlled other factors that might influence infection, such as environmental conditions. They found that Latinos and Asians were more likely to develop active TB than whites. Flores-Villaneuva said those who developed the disease had large amounts of protein in the gene, making them more susceptible to developing active TB. The study's findings might lead to gene manipulation therapies, vaccine development or improved treatments. Researchers have begun testing other genes to see how they affect TB infection (Foley, Tyler Morning Telegraph, 12/19).