Predicting the risk of a common fungal infection after stem cell transplantation

In silico genetic analysis in mice has led to the discovery of a gene affecting susceptibility to a severe fungal infection in transplant recipients. In a study published June 20th in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics, investigators from Duke University Medical Center, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Roche Palo Alto, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the National Jewish Medical and Research Center found that genetic variation within the plasminogen gene in mice and men affects susceptibility to a severe and life-threatening fungal infection.