Genome-wide association and HLA region fine-mapping studies identify susceptibility loci for multiple common infections

Nat Commun. 2017 Sep 19;8(1):599. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00257-5.

Abstract

Infectious diseases have a profound impact on our health and many studies suggest that host genetics play a major role in the pathogenesis of most of them. We perform 23 genome-wide association studies for common infections and infection-associated procedures, including chickenpox, shingles, cold sores, mononucleosis, mumps, hepatitis B, plantar warts, positive tuberculosis test results, strep throat, scarlet fever, pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, tonsillectomy, childhood ear infections, myringotomy, measles, hepatitis A, rheumatic fever, common colds, rubella and chronic sinus infection, in over 200,000 individuals of European ancestry. We detect 59 genome-wide significant (P < 5 × 10-8) associations in genes with key roles in immunity and embryonic development. We apply fine-mapping analysis to dissect associations in the human leukocyte antigen region, which suggests important roles of specific amino acid polymorphisms in the antigen-binding clefts. Our findings provide an important step toward dissecting the host genetic architecture of response to common infections.Susceptibility to infectious diseases is, among others, influenced by the genetic landscape of the host. Here, Tian and colleagues perform genome-wide association studies for 23 common infections and find 59 risk loci for 17 of these, both within the HLA region and non-HLA loci.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / genetics
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chickenpox / genetics
  • Chronic Disease
  • Common Cold / genetics
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • HLA Antigens / genetics*
  • Hepatitis A / genetics
  • Hepatitis B / genetics
  • Herpes Labialis / genetics
  • Herpes Zoster / genetics
  • Humans
  • Infections / genetics*
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / genetics
  • Male
  • Measles / genetics
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / genetics
  • Middle Ear Ventilation
  • Mumps / genetics
  • Otitis Media / genetics
  • Otitis Media / surgery
  • Pharyngitis / genetics
  • Pneumonia / genetics
  • Rheumatic Fever / genetics
  • Rubella / genetics
  • Scarlet Fever / genetics
  • Sinusitis / genetics
  • Streptococcal Infections / genetics
  • Tonsillectomy
  • Tonsillitis / genetics
  • Tonsillitis / surgery
  • Tuberculin Test
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis / genetics
  • Urinary Tract Infections / genetics
  • Warts / genetics
  • White People / genetics*

Substances

  • HLA Antigens