<b>Discovery of host genetic factors through multi-locus GWAS against Toxoplasmosis in sheep: Addressing One Health perspectives</b>

<i>T. gondii </i>stands as one of the most successful pathogens, capable of infecting nearly all warm-blooded species. It is estimated that up to 50% of human populations could harbor Toxoplasmosis infections. Among the primary transmission routes is the consumption of tissue cysts from infected food-producing farm animals. Thus, controlling Toxoplasmosis in farm animals is of vital importance for public health and food safety. The implementation of selective breeding in farm animals, where available, could serve as an effective complementary strategy for eradicating Toxoplasmosis from herds. For this purpose, we conducted four multi-locus genome-wide association (GWA) approaches to uncover the underlying polygenic factors involved in innate resistance to Toxoplasmosis in naturally infected sheep. Our findings indicate that 16 SNPs, with varying levels of statistical power, significantly influence host immunity against <i>T. gondii</i> infection. This study marks the initial exploration of host genetic factors against Toxoplasmosis in livestock, utilizing the ovine paradigm as its foundation.

刚地弓形虫（Toxoplasma gondii）是目前适应性最强的病原体之一，可感染几乎所有温血动物物种。据估算，全球约有50%的人群潜伏感染弓形虫病（Toxoplasmosis）。其主要传播途径之一为摄食受感染食用畜禽的组织包囊。因此，防控畜禽中的弓形虫病，对公共卫生与食品安全均具有至关重要的意义。在具备实施条件的畜禽群体中开展选择性育种，可作为根除畜群弓形虫病的有效辅助策略。为此，本研究采用四种多位点全基因组关联分析（genome-wide association, GWA）方法，旨在揭示自然感染绵羊体内与弓形虫病先天抗性相关的潜在多基因调控因子。本研究结果表明，16个具有不同统计效力的单核苷酸多态性（Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, SNPs）位点，可显著影响宿主抗T. gondii感染的免疫能力。本研究以绵羊为模式生物，是首次在家畜中探索抗弓形虫病宿主遗传因素的开创性研究。

搜集汇总

背景与挑战

背景概述

该数据集基于羊群模型，通过多基因座全基因组关联分析研究宿主对弓形虫病的遗传抗性因素，发现了16个与免疫力相关的SNPs。研究旨在为通过选择性育种控制农场动物弓形虫病提供遗传学基础，以促进公共卫生和食品安全。