Gene Deficiency Makes Contracting Infection Easier

Deep dermatophytosis is the ability of a fungal bacteria to spread from the surface of the skin to underneath the skin and from there to other places and organs in the body. An article published in ScienceDaily discussed a research done by The Rockefeller University and Necker Medical School which discovered that a single gene in the human body is actually responsible for fungi's ability to spread beneath the skin in deep dermatophytosis. A study conducted by Jean- Laurent Casanova on 17 healthy, but deep dermatophytosis afflicted, people showed that each person's immune system was healthy and capable of fighting off infections. Casanova did find, however, the gene CARD9 was missing from each person's genome. According to the article, the lack of CARD9 prevents the body from reacting appropriately when the body is infected. As a result of this, any infections contracted by a CARD9 deficient person not only remains in the body, but also spreads to and infects other parts of the body.

Fungus attacking skin cells

Studies conducted on cases like this, where a single gene can produce a defect in people can be beneficial. This is so because they can help us gain a better understanding of other single genes which cause diseases, as well as help us take steps to treat and prevent these diseases in people susceptible to them.