Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Simon Baudouin, Dr David Saunders, Professor Patrick Chinnery
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Background: Human genome evolution has been shaped by infectious disease. Although most genetic studies have focused on the immune system, recovery after sepsis is directly related to physiological reserve that is critically dependent on mitochondrial function. We investigated whether haplogroup H, the most common type of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in Europe, contributes to the subtle genetic variation in survival after sepsis. Methods: In a prospective study, we included 150 individuals who were sequentially admitted to the intensive care unit in a hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. After clinical data were obtained, patients underwent mtDNA haplotyping by analysis with PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. As endpoints, we used death during the 6-month period or survival at 6 months. Findings: Follow-up was complete for all study participants, although the haplotype of two patients could not be reliably determined. On admission to the intensive care unit, the frequency of mtDNA haplogroup H in study patients did not differ between study patients admitted with severe sepsis and 542 age-matched controls from the northeast of England. MtDNA haplogroup H was a strong independent predictor of outcome during severe sepsis, conferring a 2.12-fold (95% CI 1.02-4.43) increased chance of survival at 180 days compared with individuals without the haplogroup H. Interpretation: Although haplogroup H is the most recent addition to the group of European mtDNA, paradoxically it is also the most common. Increased survival after sepsis provides one explanation for this observation. MtDNA haplotyping offers a new means of risk stratification of patients with severe infections, which suggests new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Author(s): Baudouin S, Saunders D, Tiangyou W, Elson J, Poynter J, Pyle A, Keers S, Turnbull D, Howell N, Chinnery P
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Lancet
Year: 2005
Volume: 366
Issue: 9503
Pages: 2118-2121
Print publication date: 17/12/2005
ISSN (print): 0140-6736
ISSN (electronic): 1474-547X
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67890-7
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67890-7
PubMed id: 16360789
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
