Genetic Basis of Pulmonary Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections

This project aims at characterizing the human host susceptibility to pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) infections. PNTM infections occur in patients with chronic lung disease, but also in a distinct group of elderly women without lung defects but who share a common body morphology: tall and lean with scoliosis, pectus excavatum, and mitral valve prolapse. We performed whole exome and genome sequencing in extended families of patients with active PNTM. This unique collection of familial cohorts in PNTM represents an important opportunity for a high yield search for genes that regulate mucosal immunity. We also sequenced the genome of mycobacterial isolates from PNTM patients to integrate host PNTM susceptibility with mycobacterial genotypes and gain insights into the key factors involved in this devastating disease.]]> Inclusion Criteria: Families with strong signal for PNTM syndrome. Exclusion Criteria: N/A]]> This study is part of the NIH Genomic Sequencing Center for Infectious Disease (GSCID) project. The study was initiated on August 20, 2012.]]>