Little evidence for genetic susceptibility to influenza A (H5N1) from family clustering data

Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 Jul;13(7):1074-6. doi: 10.3201/eid1307.061538.

Abstract

The apparent clustering of human cases of influenza A (H5N1) among blood relatives has been considered as evidence of genetic variation in susceptibility. We show that, by chance alone, a high proportion of clusters are expected to be limited to blood relatives when infection is a rare event.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza, Human / immunology*
  • Models, Genetic*