Its official, Dr. Geha and his team of Immunologists at Children’s Hospital Boston found the genetic roots of another immune deficiency. The gene is called TACI and its related to IgA deficiency. Children with TACI have low levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) or both.
Dr. Geha is Andy’s doctor.
TACI/IgA deficiency affects 1 in 600 people. For reference NEMO affects 1 in 250,000 people.
One of the articles I found includes the following words from Dr. Geha,
“A test for TACI would allow for diagnosis of more children and their relatives,” says Geha, senior author of the study and a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
This discovery is great news!
It also means that via PGD families affected by TACI can prevent and treat the disease.
Here’s the article via Nature Genetics:
TACI is mutant in common variable immunodeficiency and IgA deficiency
Here are some news the stories:
Via Medical News Today:
Gene Discovery May Explain Recurring Infections
Via MedIndia
Gene responsible for immune deficiency discovered
Via Adscribe
Gene for Immune Deficiency Syndromes Found; Finding May Yield New Test to Explain Recurring Infections
Dr. Geha is the chief of Children’s Hospital Boston’s Division of Immunology. Geha was one of the doctors who discovered the unique genetic mutation on the NEMO gene that causes Andy’s PID. His center is working to determine the molecular basis of PID research and treatment at Children’s.
If you want to make a donation contact Brandt Henderson in the Children’s Hospital Trust at (617) 355-5342 or brandt.henderson[at]chtrust.org.