Studies in genetically manipulated animals have helped in the development of mechanistic models of antimicrobial immunity. Gene knockout mice have been invaluable for the elucidation of the phenothypic consequences of single-gene defects. Collectively, these animal studies have highlighted candidate genes that should be investigated in patients with increased susceptibility to microbial infection. Comparison of the phenotype of a mouse carrying a defined genetic defect with the clinical and immunological phenotype of patients has been helpful in identifying candidates genes that might be affected in the human patient.
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