Host genetics and population structure effects on parasitic disease

Abstract

Host genetic factors exert significant influences on differential susceptibility to many infectious diseases. In addition, population structure of both host and parasite may influence disease distribution patterns. In this study, we assess the effects of population structure on infectious disease in two populations in which host genetic factors influencing susceptibility to parasitic disease have been extensively studied. The first population is the Jirel population of eastern Nepal that has been the subject of research on the determinants of differential susceptibility to soil-transmitted helminth infections. The second group is a Brazilian population residing in an area endemic for Trypanosoma cruzi infection that has been assessed for genetic influences on differential disease progression in Chagas disease. For measures of Ascaris worm burden, within-population host genetic effects are generally more important than host population structure factors in determining patterns of infectious disease. No significant influences of population structure on measures associated with progression of cardiac disease in individuals who were seropositive for T. cruzi infection were found.

Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Post-Genomic Era

“…Other studies that highlight the role that protozoan parasites had in shaping the genetics of human populations were recently reviewed [129]. These studies suggest that quantitative trait loci and/or human polymorphisms play a role in genetic susceptibility to parasite burden and/or associated pathology for different pathogens of human [130][131][132][133] and livestock [134,135]. These types of investigations, however, require large cohorts of individuals (patients or animals), generate large sequence data sets, and usually lack causal conclusions.…”

Human Ascariasis Increases the Allergic Response and Allergic Symptoms

“…Individual predisposition to get infected by heavy or light worm loads is maintained in treatmentreinfection studies [32], and aggregates in families [33,34]. Epidemiological studies revealed than in addition to exposure and household determinants, genetic factors account for an important proportion of the variation in worm loads [35][36][37][38].…”

Opportunities and Challenges in Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy

“…Williams-Blangero et al [50] was the first to use single nucleotide polymorphism typing in Chagas disease to explore genetic determinants of susceptibility and cardiovascular progression of disease in humans. Research by Wen et al [51] focused on improving the ability to diagnose Chagas disease identified a proteomic signature for patients with CCC to allow for earlier detection of disease.…”