Molecular basis of cholera blood-group dependence and implications for a world characterized by climate change.
Climate change has the potential to increase the threat of water-borne diseases, through rises in temperature and sea-level, and precipitation variability. Cholera poses a particular threat, and the need to develop better intervention tools is imminent. Cholera infections are particularly severe for blood group O individuals, who are less protected by the current vaccines. Here we derive a hypothesis as to the molecular origins of blood-group dependence of this disease, based on relevant epidemiological, clinical and molecular data, and give suggestions on how to plan prevention strategies, and develop novel and improved pharmaceuticals.
Holmner
Asa
A
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Västerbotten County Council, Umeå, Sweden.
Mackenzie
Alasdair
A
Krengel
Ute
U
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000737:chemistry; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D002771:Cholera / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D057231:Climate Change; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008958:Models, Molecular
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D002772:Cholera Toxin