Polymorphisms in innate immunity genes predispose to bacteremia and death in the medical intensive care unit.

The article examines the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in selected genes involved in innate immunity on the development of bacteremia or risk of death in patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit. According to the authors, functional polymorphisms predispose to severe infections and death, and may become part of a risk model, allowing identification of patients at risk, who could benefit from early introduction of specific preventive or therapeutic interventions.