A team led by Oxford University has identified genes that make certain children more susceptible to invasive bacterial infections by performing a large genome-wide association study in African children. Bacteremia, bacterial infection of the bloodstream, is a major cause of illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa but little is known about whether human genetics play a part. The leading bacterial cause of death in young children worldwide is Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), and 14.5 million episodes of serious pneumococcal disease occur in young children annually.
A global network of researchers, coordinated from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics in Oxford, therefore carried out a genome-wide association study to identify which genes might be associated with an increased likelihood of developing bacteremia.
Dr. Anna Rautanen from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics at Oxford, said, 'A key question is why only a proportion of individuals develop invasive disease despite widespread exposure and asymptomatic carriage of bacteria. We know that genetic differences contribute to individuals' chances of developing more serious disease. However, the relevant genes for bacteremia susceptibility remain largely unknown.'
The study looked at DNA samples from more than 4,500 Kenyan children from the Kilifi area, where Oxford and the Welcome Trust have a joint research center with the Kenya Medical Research Institute, and where there is a high occurrence of bacteremia. Just over 4000 children were healthy, while slightly more than 500 had pneumococcal bacteremia.
The study found an area of two long intergenic noncoding RNA (lincRNA) genes that was associated with susceptibility to pneumococcal bacteremia. LincRNAs are RNA transcripts that are longer than 200 nucleotides but are not translated into proteins. LincRNAs are still little understood, although it is believed that the human genome has more than 10,000 of them.
Rautanen says, "One of the associated lincRNA genes, called AC011288.2, is expressed only in neutrophils, cells that are known to have a key role in clearing pneumococcal disease. Although the role of lincRNAs in human infections is unknown, recent mouse studies have indicated that some lincRNAs can act in immune cells to regulate an individual's susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections. The genetic variants we identified are found only in African populations. This is one of only a few large scale genetic studies carried out in Africa, and the results show why such studies must be carried out in diverse populations. Critically, the genetic variants we have identified carry a doubled risk of developing bacteraemia when infected with the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. This discovery therefore provides clues in the pressing search for new ways to target the disease."
The paper, Polymorphism in a lincRNA associates with a doubled risk of pneumococcal bacteremia in Kenyan children, is published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
Source: University of Oxford
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.