News in Brief: Gene variant makes flu particularly dangerous

Science News ^ | January 29, 2013 | Tina Hesman Saey

[neverdem]

People with one form of IFITM3 more likely to develop pneumonia

Chinese people carrying a particular version of an immune system gene are up to six times more likely to develop severe influenza than those lacking the variant. In a previous study involving mostly people of European descent, scientists found that a few individuals carried a particular form of a gene known as IFITM3 and got hit especially hard by the flu. In China, the variant is much more common...

[neverdem]

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein-3 genetic variant rs12252-C is associated with severe influenza in Chinese individuals

It's a FReebie. This is a primary pneumonia from influenza A H1N1/09 virus, not a secondary bacterial pneumonia.

[neverdem]

Microbes Survive, and Maybe Thrive, High in the Atmosphere

FReepmail me if you want on or off my combined microbiology/immunology ping list.

[Smokin' Joe]

Ping...(Thanks, neverdem!)

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[little jeremiah]

Thanks- will read this tomorrow.

[Revolting cat!]

That reminds me of a brand new good one liner (you heard it here first):

I just flew in, and boy, are my arms tired!

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.