More information about the disease leading to limb amputation – 2024-04-13 21:19:37

Necrotizing fasciitis needs immediate treatment. Adobe Stock / AOP

Necrotizing fasciitis, i.e. inflammation of the muscle membrane, can be caused by a genetic defect, says Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (Hus) in its press release.

In the study, the inflammation-activating gene defect in the NFKB1 gene has so far been found in three Finns and three foreigners with severe fasciitis.

The gene in question is one of the most important genes regulating the functioning of the immune system.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a soft tissue infection that can quickly lead to tissue necrosis.

Infections are treated with antibiotics and surgery. However, it is difficult to stop tissue destruction and patients have to undergo emergency surgeries several times.

Even in a previously healthy person, the disease can quickly lead to limb amputations, for example.

The study revealed that in patients carrying the genetic defect, the immune cells secreted large amounts of neurotransmitters that accelerate inflammation.

For them, only a mild injury, surgical procedure or infection led to severe deep tissue inflammation.

An exaggerated inflammatory reaction

In the past, severe fasciitis was considered to be inflammation caused by so-called flesh-eating bacteria. However, Finnish researchers have already discovered fasciitis, which breaks out due to the combined effect of a routine procedure or tissue damage and a genetic defect inherited by the patient.

The body then reacts to tissue damage and causes inflammation. However, bacteria are not always found at all.

The study also found that the inflammation could be effectively treated with modern rheumatic drugs. The results are promising: drugs that inhibit the functioning of the immune system significantly reduced inflammation and prevented disease progression and recurrence.

– If the findings are confirmed, in the future it will be important to find out whether medication directed at these newly discovered neurotransmitters could also help in the treatment of other necrotizing fasciitis, states the professor who led the research Kari Eklund Hus inflammation center in the bulletin.

Next, we are going to find out how many people with fasciitis have a genetic factor that predisposes them to the disease.

Necrotizing fasciitis takes about 50 patients to hospital every year in the capital region.