Genetic susceptibility to infectious diseases: big is beautiful, but will bigger be even better?
Genetic epidemiology, including twin studies, provides robust evidence that genetic variation in human populations contributes to susceptibility to infectious disease. One of the major limitations of studies that attempt to identify the genes and mechanisms that underlie this susceptibility has been lack of power caused by small sample size. With the development of novel technologies, burgeoning information on the human genome, the HapMap project, and human genetic diversity, we are at the beginning of a new era in the study of the genetics of complex diseases. This review looks afresh at the epidemiological evidence that supports a role for genetics in susceptibility to infectious disease, examines the somewhat limited achievements to date, and discusses current advances in methodology and technology that will potentially lead to translational data in the future.
Burgner
David
D
School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA, Australia.
Jamieson
Sarra E
SE
Blackwell
Jenefer M
JM
D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000235:genetics*; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic