Shorter leukocyte telomere length is associated with higher risk of infections: a prospective study of 75,309 individuals from the general population.

ABSTRACT: In the general population, older age is associated with short leukocyte telomere length and with high risk of infections. In a recent study of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for severe aplastic anemia, long donor leukocyte telomere length was associated with improved survival in the recipients. These findings suggest that leukocyte telomere length could possibly be a marker of immune competence. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that shorter leukocyte telomere length is associated with higher risk of infectious disease hospitalization and infection-related death. Relative peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 75,309 individuals from the general population and the individuals were followed for up to 23 years.

SUBMITTER: Helby J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5541879 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature