Inborn errors of immunity to infection: the rule rather than the exception.
The immune system's function is to protect against microorganisms, but infection is nonetheless the most frequent cause of death in human history. Until the last century, life expectancy was only approximately 25 years. Recent increases in human life span primarily reflect the development of hygiene, vaccines, and anti-infectious drugs, rather than the adjustment of our immune system to coevolving microbes by natural selection. We argue here that most individuals retain a natural vulnerability to infectious diseases, reflecting a great diversity of inborn errors of immunity.
Casanova
Jean-Laurent
JL
Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, University of Paris René Descartes-INSERM U550, Necker Medical School, Pediatric Hematology-Immunology Unit, Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, France. casanova@necker.fr
Abel
Laurent
L
D000818:Animals; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000235:genetics*; D008017:Life Expectancy; D012641:Selection, Genetic