Human Genetics
Influence Susceptibility to Infections
Morgan Harrison
BIOL 294 29253
Dr. Janet Rinehart-Kim April 8, 2024
Human beings are constantly going through micro evolutional periods. When past
generations build an immune to a disease they have during their time, it is past down to the next
generation. When was the last time you knew someone got the chicken pox? This would mean
that the genetics of an induvial and their past relative’s health information can be used to
determine is they are susceptible to a particular disease. Throughout this analytical article, it will
be understood that a person’s genetics play a role in their immune system, with the information
being backed up by a scientific review article.
In the past couple of years, researchers have used ancient DNA strands to help them
identify a gene variant that would be associated with the increase of plague survivors during the
1300s, or the black death. It was discovered that an individual with this gene variant in their
white blood cells where more likely to survive the black death. “In recent decades, however,
improvements in genetic sequencing have enabled scientists to identify specific genetic
variations, both common and rare, that contribute to susceptibility in myriad infectious diseases,
including HIV, malaria, typhoid, and influenza” (Thomasy 2024). When these gene variants and
genetic variation are understood, they can be used to conduct therapies to help prevent the
disease from getting worse. Stem cell treatment would the result of the recent findings and a way
to cure people with these infectious diseases.
During a scientific experiment it was found that children born with genetic variations
were susceptible to fungal immunity diseases. There have been an increase in fungal infections
causing morbidity and mortality in people with an impaired immune system. “Infections by
Candida, Aspergillus, endemic dimorphic fungi, Pneumocystis, and dermatophytes along with
their organ-specific presentations provide clinicians with important clues in the assessment of
patients with suspected immune defects” (Ochoa 2020). Once researcher are able to point out the
genetic mutation that causes the weak immune system, they can start to work on a cure. Once a
cure is found, it can also be concluded that future generations would be less susceptible these
types of mutations. These studies benefit the community by providing an insight into a way to
prevent these children from catching these fungal infections, while also preventing their future
children from having the same immune system errors. Overall, genetic mutations found in
newborns have been found to be the cause of fungal infections and mortality from such fungal
infections.
After analyzing all the articles, it can be concluded that an individual’s genetics play a
role in their immune system and what they are susceptible to. People with a weaker immune
system are caused by gene variations that can make them more prone to catching infectious
diseases. A scientific experiment that backs up the previous information concluded that children
who had errors in their immune system where highly susceptible to fungal infection diseases.
Many of these genetic variations can be linked to the parent’s genetics and what they were likely
prone to catching. If both parents were likely to catch a specific disease, it would be a strong
possibility that the child is going to catch that disease. Once these variations are studies, new
treatments like stem cell therapy can be introduced to prevent future generation from having the
same immune errors.
References
Ochoa, S., Constantine, G. M., & Lionakis, M. S. (2020). Genetic susceptibility to fungal
infection in children. Current opinion in pediatrics, 32(6), 780–789.
https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000000948
Thomasy, H. (2024, April 3). Human genetics influence susceptibility to infection. Drug
Discovery News Magazine. https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/human-geneticsinfluence-susceptibility-to-infection-15906