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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Published on: August 18, 2023

The double-edged sword of evolution.

Etty Kruzel-Davila¹, Karl Skorecki^2,3

¹Department of Nephrology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.

|July 4, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Two gene variants offer varying protection against sleeping sickness. However, these genetic variations increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

Keywords:

Human African Trypanosomiasis Trypanosoma brucei Trypanosoma brucei gambiense Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense chronic kidney disease evolutionary biology genomics human infectious disease microbiology sleeping sickness

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Area of Science:

Genetics
Immunology
Nephrology

Background:

Sleeping sickness, also known as human African trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic disease.
Genetic factors are known to influence susceptibility and resistance to infectious diseases.
Chronic kidney disease is a significant global health concern with diverse etiologies.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the protective effects of specific gene variants against sleeping sickness.
To assess the association between these gene variants and the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Main Methods:

Genetic association studies were employed.
Analysis of gene variant frequencies in affected and control populations.
Evaluation of kidney function markers in individuals with specific gene variants.

Main Results:

Identified two gene variants conferring differential protection against sleeping sickness.
Demonstrated a statistically significant increased risk of chronic kidney disease in individuals carrying these protective variants.
Quantified the magnitude of risk for developing chronic kidney disease associated with each variant.

Conclusions:

Certain gene variants offer a survival advantage against sleeping sickness.
The protective effect against sleeping sickness is linked to an elevated risk of chronic kidney disease.
These findings highlight a complex genetic trade-off with implications for public health strategies.