Using Association Mapping to Identify Candidate Genes Associated with Infection Diseases Resistance

Infectious diseases are responsible for a significant proportion of deaths in the world population. They are a major determinant of natural selection. Differential susceptibility to pathogens occurs among people from the same ethnic groups and belonging to different populations. The explanation for this phenomenon should be sought in the human genome. Ongoing research using commonly used genetic testing methods has made it possible to identify changes in certain genes that modulate an organism's susceptibility to a particular disease and the rate at which it develops. However, it is important to identify genes that determine resistance to infectious diseases. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) are a useful tool for identifying candidate genes, especially when combined with Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping to validate loci for observed traits.